Bernadette Ganilau

Rose Lavenia Bernadette Rounds Ganilau (born July 5, 1951, as Lavenia Bernadette Rounds) is a Fijian writer, broadcaster, In previous political roles, she served in 2000 and 2001 in the Interim Government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase as Assistant Minister for Social Welfare, and from June to December 2006, she was Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, until the military coup of 5 December.

Long a political activist, Ganilau's causes included women's rights and human rights in general, and has served as President of Women Entrepreneurs Fiji. She spent much of mid-to-late 2005 campaigning against the government's controversial Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill,

Personal life

Ganilau is married to Ratu Jone Antonio Rabici Rabaraba Ganilau, the youngest son of Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, Fiji's first President (1987-1993). They have adopted his grand-niece Jordana Nicolai Adi Mei Vikatoria Kainona Ganilau, daughter of Adi Laisa Ganilau. Her brother-in-law, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, was a well-known contemporary politician.

Ganilau grew up in a home surrounded by music.

Career In 2000, Ganilau was appointed an interim Minister after the 2000 Fijian coup d'état. She was appointed to oversee Labour and Tourism. In November 2008 she established the Green Party of Fiji. Due to a court order, the party was dissolved with its assets forfeited to the State. Ganilau choose not to run in the 2018 General Election citing her familie's wishes.

She, along with six other women, took the Government to court over the 'Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act' and the 'Interpretation Act' of 2021. The law required voters to change their birth certificate to match the name they registered to vote with, which means married women who adopted their husbands last name were required to change their name on their birth certificate as well. The law was still in place in May 2023.