Dr Luveni: 1300 Groups in Network
Dr Jiko Luveni says the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation has liaised and networked with women’s groups in Fiji.
She was responding to the statement from the National Federation Party’s proposed candidate, Fay Volatabu. Ms Volatabu accused Dr Luveni of failing to consult women’s groups
Dr Luveni said that in the last five years, the ministry had formed a network of more than 1300 women’s groups in Fiji which was achieved through consistent visits to the maritime and rural communities. “Given the vast range of programmes administered by this ministry, these contacts are essential in ensuring that government’s assistance is effectively reaching out to the greater proportion of the population.”
Dr Luveni reiterated that the idea of the National Women’s Expo was mooted through the discussions she chaired with women’s groups in rural and maritime villages.
“Women expressed, that whilst the ministry is assisting them through various livelihood and economic projects, finding a market poses to be a challenge particularly for rural women. With the aim to recognise the talents of rural women and to help them find markets, the ministry organised Fiji’s first National Women’s Expo 2014.
“A quick calculation of the monetary benefits generated for the 99 women’s groups registered from the Northern Division, income derived from the sales at the three-day expo amounted to $38, 855.40. For some of these women, it was first time for them to receive some cash in hand!
“The National Women’s Expo was organised to provide capacity building trainings for women and at the same time promote their talents and skills which would be channeled into Fiji’s export market,” Dr Luveni said.
