The move by Government to increase the budget for Women’s Plan of Action (WPA 2010 to 2019) for next year has been applauded by the Soqosoqo Vakamarama.
The Soqosoqo Vakamarama general secretary Adi Finau Tabakaucoro says the increase of $50,000 in the Budget for WPA and the allocation of $160,000 for the Fiji Women’s Federation (FWF) reflect on the government’s commitment to the development of women in the country.
The commitment will result in more women being given the opportunity to open their micro-enterprise businesses and the sustainable income generating projects.
This will provide financial stability and graduate women particularly in the rural areas out of poverty.
“The increase in WPA budget and FWF budget for next year is applauded and it’s good that the Government has increased the budget for WPA and once again committed $1.6million for the Fiji Women’s Federation, which is doing a lot more work on programmes that will result in socio-economic development in the country,” Adi Finau said.
“In fact FWF working together with the women NGO’s will mean the impacts of development programmes reaching out to the rural and remote areas.
“We are happy with government’s commitment to women development in the country and this will help the families to develop sustainable income generating projects and earn a better living for their families.”
Adi Finau said the onus was on non-government organizations and the people to fully utilise the resources and assistance forwarded by Government.
People have to carry out their roles to ensure tangible results are achieved to make a positive difference in their communities.
“My plea is that Government is doing its part, it’s providing the resources and facilitating development initiatives and reforms are resulting in several changes for the better, now the responsibility rests on the communities, the NGO’s and the civil society to play their part to ensure the aims of the Government particularly those outlined in the Roadmap for the Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development 2009 to 2014 is being fulfilled,” she said.