Anaseini Qionibaravi
Fijian politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
Qionibaravi 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]