Anaseini Qionibaravi (born c. 1939)[1] was a Fijian politician. She was the first woman to serve in the Senate.
Anaseini Qionibaravi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Senate | |
| In office 1970–1976 | |
| Prime Minister | Kamisese Mara |
| Succeeded by | Joeli Nacola |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1939 Bua Province, Fiji |
| Spouse | Mosese Qionibaravi |
| Children | 4 |
Biography
editQionibaravi was born in Bua Province and was educated at St Mary’s School, Labasa and Adi Cakobau School.[1][2] She then trained at the Nasinu Teachers College before studying at the Auckland Teachers’ College on a two-year government scholarship, specialising in home economics.[1] Qionibaravi worked as a home economics teacher and radio announcer at Radio Fiji, also becoming the first chair of the Fiji Consumer Council.[1][3] She was a member of the YWCA.[4]
When the Senate was established in 1970, Qionibaravi was appointed for a six-year term as one of Prime Minister Kamisese Mara's nominees. She was the only woman in the Senate, alongside 21 men.[5]
In 1973 her husband Mosese Qionibaravi was elected to the House of Representatives of Fiji.[6] The couple had four children.[3]
In 1978 she resigned as chair of the Consumer Council, claiming it was underfunded.[7]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 "153 years on: First woman senator". Fiji Times. 17 December 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ↑ ACS Old Girls Celebrate 65th Fiji Sun. 31 August 2013.
- 1 2 She's consumed with zeal Pacific Islands Monthly. December 1972. pp. 24–25.
- ↑ Walker, Anne S. (5 April 2018). A World of Change: My life in the global women’s rights movement. Australian Scholarly Publishing. p. 1925. ISBN 978-1-925588-63-7.
- ↑ They're the new Senate Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1970, p26
- ↑ People Pacific Islands Monthly. January 1974. p. 11.
- ↑ Fiji consumer head drops out Pacific Islands Monthly. March 1978.