In the quest to increase the economic capabilities of women, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation is in the process of organising a workshop that will allow Non-Government Organisations to secure financial support to start new income generating projects in Fiji.
The Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni said this during the Fiji Women’s Federation (FWF) Advisory Committee meeting held in Suva recently. The Non-Government Organisations representing women from Catholic Women’s League, Soqosoqo Vakamarama, Assemblies of God (AOG) Women’s Ministries, Sanatan Dharam Nari Sabha Fiji, Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Shrest Mothers Club and Stri Sewa Sabha are members of the advisory body.
Minister Luveni informed the members that on 19th of this month, a workshop will be organised to take them through step by step procedures of applying for women's livelihood projects.
“This is the first time the Ministry will provide such an opportunity to women’s organisations and groups to actually learn about project proposals when applying for the income generating projects offered by the Ministry. We would like to expand economic projects to empower women to alleviate poverty in their homes and communities,” she said.
“Your groups have to identify suitable projects and we are looking to fund income generating projects like poultry, baking, bee keeping, handicrafts, vegetable farming and even tailoring. We want to help those who are challenged with poverty in squatter settlements, hart homes and are unemployed.
“The workshop will ensure that at the end of it you have your forms filled and project proposal ready to qualify for funding. A funding of $5000 will be provided and it also depends on the nature and scale of the projects submitted.
“We would like individual women to benefit from the projects to ensure that even if the project is managed by the group, all the members benefit equally, this will ensure the sustainability of the projects. The government would like the women groups and organisations to take a lead role in alleviating poverty in their communities,” Dr Luveni explained.
Mrs Lalita Sharma, the president of Sanatan Dharam Nari Sabha applauded the move by the Ministry to provide such an opportunity to NGO's to uplift the lives of poor and vulnerable.
“The Santana Nari Sabha has 18 branches over Fiji and over 300 members who are actively engaged in charity work to help the disadvantaged members of the communities. Today we are greatly motivated to hear a new pathway has been created for Non Government Organisations to work together with the government to improve the lives of the women and children.
“We welcome this partnership and look forward to implement projects for children who are homeless and senior citizens who are neglected by their families. There is so much we can do for these people and we are grateful to the Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni for providing this opportunity to the women’s groups to steer such critical changes into our communities. We thank Dr Luveni for her vision to help those in need and definitely she is an inspiration to the women of Fiji,” Mrs Sharma said.
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