The Ministry of Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation is adamant about providing women’s groups in 1164 villages around the country with sewing machines this year.
This is in line with Pillar Five of the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, which is ‘Achieving Economic Growth and Ensuring Sustainability’.
Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni confirmed the distribution of 900 machines this year.
The main objectives include helping women to save, sew clothes for their families, which they can alternately sell and also to raise funds for the group through the renting out of machines to members.
“The initial idea was that women asked for sewing machines and in the process of distributing them we found out that a lot of women do not have machines. So the idea came to the ministry to make an all out effort to provide as many sewing machines to all villages in Fiji,” Dr Luveni said.
“We will need to secure a further 2,000 sewing machines in order to cover the 1164 villages targeted. The machines will empower the women economically and socially.”
Elder James.J.Hamula, Pacific Area President of Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints with Minister receiving the machines.
The ministry’s help is supplemented by the Family Assistance Scheme, especially with regards to single mothers and widows.
To assist government’s efforts in empowering women The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints donated 50 sewing machines worth $17,000 to the ministry yesterday.
The Indian High Commission and the All Women’s China Group and some local entrepreneurs also donated machines this year.