Pink Unicorns and gender inequality: Case of Fiji

Abstract

Abstract Empirical studies show that there is lack of female presence on corporate boards in public companies, although some companies have a single female director (known as a ‘pink unicorn’) who, like a unicorn, might look nice but who is, in fact, only a fiction. We investigate whether traditions and rituals support gender inequality in a religious country and attempt to provide evidence that the Fijian cultural and religious systems influence sustained gender inequality. This paper seeks to identify the internal obstacles that seem to be intrinsic to women’s presence, such as self-effacing attitudes and which, among men, appear less prevalent. This qualitative study relies on results from 32 semi-structured interviews with auditors, educationalists, and company directors from leading accounting/audit firms, universities, and Fijian companies, and high-ranked government officers. The findings of this study may encourage stakeholders, including professional bodies, and those who have interests in gender diversity, to promote more female representation on corporate boards of Fijian public companies. The results support assertions that religious traditions and rituals are strongly linked to gender-inequitable beliefs and give voice to various segments of society who are advocating greater gender diversity on board representation in Fiji.