The Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation in partnership with women groups have organised celebrations to commemorate International Women’s Day 2013 throughout Fiji.
The programmes are designed to advocate the national theme for this year’s celebration, “Championing Gender for Gender Equality”.
A programme has been organised for women in the Central Division and about 100 women will march in Nausori Town tomorrow to lead the celebrations at the Nausori Catholic Hall.
The chief guests for this event will be Madam Nazhat Shameem and Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation acting permanent secretary Dr Josefa Koroivueta.
There will be presentations from the Sexual Offence Unit and Fiji Cancer Society to create awareness and provide information on issues related to women. The women groups will also walk away with sewing machines to help them generate income for their families.
A similar programme has also been organised for women in the Western Division and the Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki will officially open the International Women’s Day in Lautoka on Friday, March 15.
Women from as far as Ra will take part in this event and will have the opportunity to display their handicrafts, arts and skills.
They will be provided with information on women’s health, gender and education, women and law. There will be free health screenings and presentations will be made by academic institutions and the Fiji Police Force on women’s issues. More than 200 women will participate in this one day event in the western division.
For the first time a three-day programme in Makadru village, in Lau has been organised to dedicate the event to women in the Eastern Division. More than 100 women will participate in the official opening of this programme on Friday, March 15.
Similarly, the Northern Division will host celebrations for women in Savusavu and Labasa. The Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni will be the chief guest in Labasa on Wednesday, March 20. She will also meet with the women groups in Savusavu and officially open the Senibiau Women’s Resource Centre in Dreketi on Thursday, March 21.
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