Government is implementing development programs through the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation to raise the status of women in our communities.
The Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni said since 2011, the ministry has provided 115 sewing workshops and training sessions in rural and maritime communities across the country.
“We have trained 1565 women, 79 men and 68 youths through sewing workshops organised as result of the availability of these sewing machines,” Dr Luveni said.
“The Ministry has also extended its operation to having project officer who provides training recipients of these machines on how to properly maintain their machines and they also provide sewing training skills for women,” Dr Luveni said.
Dr Luveni highlighted that the sewing machine program has raised the profile of those women living in our rural and remote communities.
The National Sewing centre at the Fiji National Council of Disabled Persons(FNCDP) where regular training for more than 26 women is provided every three months. These groups include disabled persons, women under the social welfare graduation scheme and representatives of women’s groups.
The Minister said that the sewing centre to date has trained at least 67 disadvantaged women who have ventured into self-employment of open market opportunities and 28 women with disabilities have taken up jobs in garment factories.
With the vision to empower women in every community, Dr Luveni is adamant that this program provides a gateway to providing employment opportunities and income generation for able-bodied recipients.
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