International Women’s Day (IWD) 

Ahead of the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration on the 8th of March this year, we will feature a number of serving women officers and civilians and their thoughts on this year’s IWD theme #EmbraceEquity Embrace Equity enables everyone to contribute If we apply Equity at our workplace then we will ensure that everyone contributes effectively to the task at hand says Corporal (Cpl) Rita Sharma of Border Police Unit.

On this day (March 3rd) 26 years ago, Cpl Sharma joined the Fiji Police Force as a shy timid 21 year old Special Constable. Fast forward to 2023, the 45-year-old mother of one, is an outspoken Police Corporal whose presence commands respect from those that work with her.

She has worked at the Nadi, Ba and Totogo Police Stations, Registry and Records Unit at Police Headquarters Centrepoint Nasinu.

Cpl Sharma says that having Equality is not to be misunderstood with having Equity.

“In the police force we all have different strengths and weaknesses as an individual officer serving at a Station or in a Unit, if we capitalize on our individual strengths and use it well in our respective Units and Formations, especially if we tasked according to our individual strength then we will be able to contribute more effectively to the unit,” she said.

“I have been working mostly in Administration in the various Stations or Units I have served in, and I am also deployed for routine operational duties when I am required to, I find that when officers are placed in their right niche of work, it is better for everyone and our service delivery to the public is better,” she added.

Cpl Sharma is currently the Administration officer for the Commanding Officer (CO) Border Police Unit based at Namaka Police Station.

#EmbraceEquity #InternationalWomensDay2023 #saluspopuli #FijiPolice