Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Namaste and Noa’ia ‘e Mauri Fiji
I am extremely overjoyed to finally start my job of serving you as the Minister for Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation. Over the years, I have made it my life goal to help those less fortunate, and I’m happy that I can continue what I love to do on a national stage in helping all Fijians.
During the campaign, we had always emphasised consensus and dialogue, and this is what I’ll be doing here today. My first order of business is meeting the Permanent Secretary and the Ministry staff to try and determine where we are and where we’d like to be.
Consensus building won’t end there. As an integral part of my Ministry, I plan on asking you, the citizens of Fiji, about the best way forward utilising surveys and online platforms.
One of the foundations for building a better Fiji is providing equal opportunities to all Fijians irrespective of age, gender, physical ability or income level, thus, to promote inclusivity and development, my Ministry will continue to serve all Fijians through:
- The care and protection of children
- Greater policy intervention for older persons and persons with disability
- More innovative and targeted income support to families living or caught in the cycle of poverty; and
- My Ministry will continue to promote gender equality and empower women to reach their full potential.
As your Minister, I look forward also to strengthening and building on good partnerships with organisations whose activities and outputs support the Ministries strategic objectives and those who provide services in the area of child protection and safeguarding, older persons, persons with disability, gender equality, women’s empowerment and ending violence against women and girls.
During the turmoil of the last couple of months, the hymn “We Shall Overcome”, was often used as a source of inspiration. At this juncture, Fiji faces daunting poverty levels and incidences of domestic violence, but despite all these challenges I believe with God's help and everyone working together, we shall overcome.
I’m looking forward to working for the most disadvantaged in our society and together rebuilding Fiji into the way the world should be. May God bless the most needy among us. May God bless you all as you celebrate the New Year and may God bless our Fiji.