The Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Sashi Kiran, this week officiated at the graduation ceremony of women who had successfully completed a week-long skills training program at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Samabula.
The program brought together 130 women participants from diverse backgrounds, including young single adults, single mothers, and women from families receiving welfare assistance from the Church. These women live within the boundaries of the Suva Stake, Suva North Stake, and Nausori Stake—with each Stake covering up to 20 chapels in a given area.
Over the past five days, the women received both financial literacy training and practical skills development. The opening session focused on foundational business knowledge through the Self-Reliance curriculum, covering financial management, entrepreneurship, and marketing.
The remainder of the program was dedicated to hands-on training in areas aligned with the participants’ interests, including hairdressing, massage therapy, cake decorating, event planning, tapa printing, and early childhood education. Expert trainers were engaged under consulting contracts to deliver these sessions, with the course provided free of charge for all participants.
In her address, Minister Kiran commended the women for their dedication and highlighted the Government’s support for women’s economic empowerment stating that the Coalition Government remains deeply committed to growing and supporting small businesses. Through the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, where financial help is provided, training, as well as support for market access.
Minister Kiran also extended her gratitude to the LDS Church for initiating and hosting the training:
“This workshop shows the power of community and resilience. Participants, including women both within and beyond the Church of Jesus Christ faith community, have learned important business skills — financial management, entrepreneurship, and marketing. While many women have business skills, we often find weakness in financial management — not because you don’t know how to manage finances but because of our sense of community and giving. Training programs like this can assist in balancing the two.
She encouraged the women to develop a culture of lifting each other, just as the leaders of the LDS Church had a vision in them together for this opportunity. She stated that the LDS Church has put resources together to assist them with the vision to lift each of you up to help you support your family better.
She further encouraged the graduates, saying: “To all the women here today, I commend your courage, commitment and determination. You are shining examples of what can be achieved when knowledge meets opportunity. The Ministry stands with you on your path to self-reliance, prosperity and empowerment.”
At the conclusion of the workshop, each participant graduated with a certificate of completion, recognizing their dedication and achievements. The overarching goal of the initiative is to empower women with pathways to small business, gainful employment, and greater self-reliance, ultimately uplifting families and communities across Fiji.