Remarkable Women, Powerful Stories - Tahani Booth

Tahina Booth is a distinguished athlete with a history of representing Papua New Guinea in the Rugby League and Australia in Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting. She is a fervent advocate for gender justice through sports. Her firsthand experience in the field revealed sports' unique capacity to foster societal change, inspiring her to establish the Grass Skirt Project (GSP). As GSP's founder, Tahina has been pivotal in leveraging grassroots sports to combat gender-based violence and promote gender equity in Papua New Guinea. The project's initiatives, like the Hevea Cup & Wellness Expo and Gymbox, have exemplified their commitment to health and wellness and bridging the gender gap to create more inclusive communities and foster leadership.

Tahina also contributes her expertise to the Department of Foreign Affairs Australia's Pacific Women Lead Governance Board. She has been a proactive voice for women's equality in sports on the International Rugby League Board. Under her leadership, GSP aims to empower 1 million leaders by 2050 through sports, nurturing entrepreneurial skills for a more equitable Papua New Guinea. This vision reflects her dedication to ensuring every individual in Papua New Guinea has the opportunity to belong, contribute and grow, positioning her as a key figure in driving gender equality and societal transformation.