“On October 15th, the International community observes International Day of Rural Women as a day that recognises the commitment and work that our rural women have achieved in Fiji. This International Day of Rural Women is a key moment to galvanise action by all stakeholders to support rural women and girls to not only rebuild their lives after COVID-19 and disasters but increase their resilience to be better prepared to face future crises."
This was shared by the Permanent Secretary for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, Jennifer Poole, at the International Day of Rural Women Celebrations at Sawani Village in Naitasiri yesterday (17/10/22).
"It is indeed a pleasure to be part of this event as we celebrate the contribution of Rural Women towards nation-building and remember the lives of women lost in the fight against cancer," PS Poole said.
PS Poole added that creating a sustainable and inclusive Fiji is the grand vision of the 2030 Agenda, and at the heart of this vision was the recognition that gender equality and women's economic empowerment is the key to achieving true progress and prosperity for all.
"The Fijian Government will remain committed to rural women in all their diversity; increase the efforts to support them through the COVID-19 pandemic, work with them to build their resilience to future crises, making a call to action to strengthen gender equality and accelerate women’s empowerment in Fiji.”
"In Fiji, women’s participation in the formal economy remains significantly lower than men. Fijian women make up only 34 percent of the labour force in Fiji’s economy. It has been estimated that nearly 60% of women around the world work in the informal economy, earning less, saving less, and at greater risk of falling into poverty."
PS Poole added that Fijians need to remember the tireless efforts of all dedicated women in the rural community and the challenges they face.
"They play crucial roles in ensuring food and nutrition security, eradicating rural poverty, and improving the well-being of their families, yet they continue to face serious challenges as a result of gender-based stereotypes and discrimination that deny them equitable access to opportunities, resources, assets, and services."
"Women and girls face greater vulnerability and exposure to disasters, yet women remain largely ignored and their capacities unleveraged in conventional resilience building processes. It is critical that at the community level women are involved in all platforms of decision-making, to ensure that their needs, issues, and concerns are considered," she added.
PS Poole acknowledged the tremendous contribution of the Rural Women, Stakeholders, donors, UN agencies, foreign missions, non-government organisations, civil societies, and male champions for their commitment towards the realisation of gender equality and empowerment of women especially rural Fijian women.
"Let us renew our commitment as families, and communities and pledge for a more inclusive and resilient Fiji."
PS Poole also wished all women and girls around Fiji a Happy International Day of Rural Women.