𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐎

“Assessing available skills, resources and understanding easily accessible markets forms the basic foundation for strong economic  empowerment programs” shared  Hon. Sashi Kiran, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, as she listened to the women share their skills and challenges during her visit to the Semo Women’s Resource Centre in Nadroga.

The Centre is being revived as different women are trying to sell their food or craft from this road side facility built under the Ministry’s “One Centre, One Product” initiative  more than a decade ago.

Minister assured full support to help grow the Semo Women’s Resource Centre become a thriving hub for women’s economic empowerment—creating opportunities that will benefit not only its members, but also their families and the village.

Minister Kiran encouraged the women to form a cooperative. She committed the support of our team to assist in development of business plan, financial and business literacy, product creation and development and marketing.

She also had a Talanoa in Semo Village as elders and women shared their challenges ranging from  access to clean water to mobility aid for people living with disability. Kiran shared various initiatives and grants available across different Ministries.

“While Government is providing various development support, we are concerned about growing crisis of lifestyle diseases that are preventable if we can change our eating habits and lifestyle”.

Our team including Acting District Officer Mereisi Rukulawe, Assistant Roko Kiniviliame Ravono, Principal Welfare Officer Western Division Clement Dari and Divisional Women Interest Officer Tulia Naivogo responded to various questions during the Talanoa session.