Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific - Case - IFC

On reflecting on the challenges of being a woman in
business, Dhan says “It’s very hard to persuade Indo-Fijian
women to open a business now. They all want to work
for other employers than the family business, or stay at
home, or do charity work. Women who do have their own
businesses don’t want it. But you can do everything. I do
everything.”
“They don’t take an active part in their own family business.
Husbands will give their wives money anyway so they don’t
work. Their husbands will pay their staff, but they don’t
want their wives involved, and they may not pay them. I tell
the women that they should be involved.” Their reply to
me is, “You’re the only woman who is doing something for
your community.”
Dhan thinks that although the other women admire her,
she doesn’t inspire them to get involved in their family
businesses. They like to stay at home and be a domestic
housewife. She says that indigenous Fijian women are
different and will earn their living by running small
businesses.
Dhan continues to advise other women, “Try to open your
own business. Be on your own feet rather than depend
on someone else. Young women have so much potential,
but they are held back. They like to work for other people,
rather than run their own business or be involved with the
family business. I feel so sad; the Indo-Fijian families don’t
want their wives to work. Men won’t even make payments
to the pension fund for their wives. They don’t give them
wages. No wonder the women don’t want to work in the
family business.”
Economic Opportunities for Women in the Pacific
Next Steps Dhan’s plans for the business are to make
Dick Smith Electronics grow in market share and maintain
itself as a leading market shareholder. In the next 5 years,
she plans to expand the business’s retail and service
departments to Lautoka, Nadi and Labasa, expand its
back up service department at the main store in Suva, and
appoint a CEO for operations management so that the
Directors can focus on business growth strategies.
Moving a business towards expansion and higher levels
of achievement is a challenge. Especially as the global
economy has had a hard hit. Fiji is not spared from this
impact. Major business clients such as government
departments and larger corporate companies have reduced
their purchases due to budget constraints. However we
are optimistic of improved growth as the global economic
activities normalize. The current Fiji Government is striving
to stimulate local business and attract more visitors to Fiji.
We can see positive signs of change for better days ahead.
Dick Smith remains committed to its growth and expansion
strategies.
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