Government’s vision to increase economic opportunities for women has seen two new projects take shape in Kadavu.
The new Ekita and Waisomo Women Centres in Kadavu have been built with a funding of more than $10,000 taken from the Ministry for Women’s budget.
The facilities have been designed to the enhance income generating opportunities for Kadavu women by building their skills and resources.
A team led by the Hon. Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Sofia Akbar and permanent secretary Dr Josefa Koroivueta, today opened the Ekita Women’s Centre in Yaw District.
Likewise, the Waisomo Women’s Centre located in Waisomo village in Ono, will also be officially opened by the on Thursday November 13.
Mrs Akbar said the new facilities are a gateway for women to establish their own businesses.
“Most women across the globe rely on informal work sector for an income. If women were empowered to do more, the possibility for economic growth becomes apparent,” Mrs Akbar said.
“Empowering women in Fiji is essential to reduce poverty since women represent most of the world’s poor population,” she added.
Mrs Akbar said families that need to venture into the production of Virgin Coconut Oil will also have the opportunity to use these centres.
“The Ministry will work with its stakeholders to bring new business opportunities for greater benefits and growth. Women are key agents for economic growth and poverty alleviation, as such the Ministry will persevere to help you develop, expand and sustain your income generating projects,” Mrs Akbar said.
The president of the Ekita Women’s club, Karalaini Tubuna said the women of the village are overwhelmed to see the much awaited project come to reality.
“The women are excited about the opening of this Centre as this is the first government project to be built in Ekita,” Mrs Tubuna said.
“Before, we didn’t have a place to organise our club meetings, but today through the Ministry’s assistance we have this Centre. Having a permanent place to ourselves will enable our club to organise income generating activities like baking and tailoring on a regular basis. This new centre is an incentive for more women to join our club,” she added.
Mrs Tubuna said the women of Ekita village have also started a bee-keeping project through a funding of $5000 provided by the Ministry of Women.
“We are able to produce as much as 60 kilograms of honey. From last sale we earned more than $900. This is a lucrative business and given the new Centre we will do processing and packaging of honey, all under one roof,” Mrs Tubuna said.
The Waisomo Women’s club president, Varanisese Uluinaceva, thanked the government for initiating projects to improve the lives of rural women.
“This is the first women’s project and indeed a wonderful opportunity to ensure equal participation of women into development,” Mrs Uluinaceva said.
“Through the Centre, our women’s club will expand its handicraft business. There are 16 women who do weaving of voivoi mats, baskets, handbags and a variety of handicrafts. Having a centre means, we will be able to display all our products and invite tourists to visit our village and buy these items.”
She commended the government for recognising the challenges faced by women in maritime areas.
To date the Ministry has built 45 Women Centres around Fiji through providing building materials worth $5000 to $7000 for each centre. These Centres are attached to an existing infrastructure whereas the Women Resource Centres are standalone facilities fully equipped and built with the funding of more than $30,000 provided by the Ministry.
The land and labour has to be provided by the villagers as part of their contributions towards the project. To date the Ministry has opened more than 16 Women Resource Centres around Fiji.