The Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni is currently on a 3 day tour to the northern division to look at ways of creating new opportunities for women in the division.
Dr Luveni met with the social welfare officers and women interest officers in Labasa. In her address to the northern division staff she reminded them on the need for teamwork and friendly customer services. The Ministry’s acting permanent secretary Dr Josefa Koroivueta and Director Women Mrs Arieta Moceica are also part of the official entourage to the northern division.
"Given the ministry's core role in poverty alleviation and empowering the women, I would like to reiterate the importance of working as a team. Our role as social welfare and women officers is important as we serve the poor and disadvantaged in our communities. We should work within the timelines we have committed to in the 2013 Annual Corporate Plan and achieve the deliverables," Minister Luveni said.
She reminded staff to remain loyal and faithful in their roles as civil servants and that their performance would be monitored on a regular basis.
The Minister also met with the Commissioner Northern Ilai Moceica to discuss women projects in the north. She reiterated that her Ministry's strengthened partnership with the Commissioner Northern's Office would open up new economic opportunities for women in Vanua Levu. The economic projects coordinated by the commissioner's office and that of the ministry are both designed towards alleviating poverty.
"The projects are aimed to economically empower the communities, alleviate poverty and address gender issues to realize that the pathway to sustainable development is through empowering women.
"We are also exploring a new initiative that is for the divisional commissioners to be the ambassadors for women in their respective divisions, because these commissioners are leaders in their divisions, it's an initiative that will push for women development in the 4 divisions," she said.
She said that her ministry is glad to firm up its network with the Commissioner Northern's Office for the construction of women resource centres and secure markets for the income generating products for northern women.
"These women resource centres will focus on "One Centre One Product" concept, the centres provide an avenue for women to team up and undertake various projects in north. They will be equipped with training opportunities to perfect their skills and products to meet the local demand and then explore the overseas markets," Dr Luveni added.
In welcoming the partnership, Commissioner Moceica said the networking with heads of government ministries and departments provides a strong and consolidated platform that complements the governments overarching vision of building a better Fiji and People's Charter for Change, Peace and progress.
-ENDS-