Fijian rural women and girls play a significant role in agriculture, food security and nutrition, land and natural resource management, building climate resilience, political achievements of women, eradicating rural poverty and unpaid and domestic care work.
This was shared by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar, at the Rural Women’s Day celebrations at the Ministry's Boardroom in Suva last week.
“On October 15th, the international community observes International Day of Rural Women as a day that recognises the commitment and work that our rural women have achieved in Fiji.
The theme for this Rural Women's Day was “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for all” to create awareness and celebrate the efforts of women and girls around the world who shape a more equitable future, provide food security and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister Akbar highlighted Fijians need to remember the tireless efforts of all our dedicated women in the rural community and challenges they face.
"They play crucial roles ensuring food and nutrition security, eradicating rural poverty and improving the well-being of their families, yet they continue to face serious challenges as a result of gender-based stereotypes and discrimination that deny them equitable access to opportunities, resources, assets and services".
Minister Akbar added the Fijian Government will remain committed to rural women in all their diversity; increase the efforts to support them through the COVID-19 pandemic, work with them to build their resilience to future crises, making a call to action to strengthen gender equality and accelerate women’s empowerment in Fiji.
" I would like to wish all women and girls around Fiji a Happy Rural Women's Day.”