New development projects are being explored by the Bainimarama Government to economically empower a multicultural group of sixty women in Visari, Lami.

The Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Jiko Luveni’s official visit to Veisari Settlement in Lami on Tuesday brought them hope.

Since the establishment of this settlement in the late 1950s, it was the first time for the Visari Multicultural Women’s Group to see a senior government official visit them.

After learning about the challenges faced by Visari women, Dr Luveni said they would create new pathways to boost economic development for them.

“True development can only be achieved through equal participation of women in economic growth,” Dr Luveni said.
She said through the ministry’s increased budget allocation of $1.3 million, they had assisted more than 1702 women’s groups in Fiji.

“I am glad to see that this multicultural women’s group is determined to work together with the ministry to elevate their standard of living.”
Dr Luveni said the ministry would assist the women by providing them with skills training to venture into income generating projects like baking, handicraft making and tailoring.

“These women are very talented and all they need is a facility like a women’s centre to bring them together to earn income for their families.”

The group’s spokeswoman, Iaeli Kelesoma said the assistance from the government would help them improve their livelihood.
“We have 60 members from Kiribati, Tuvalu, Banaba, Tonga and Samoa and most of these women earn income through selling handicrafts,” Mrs Kelesoma said.

She said they were grateful for the two sewing machines that would help them sew and sell school uniforms, pillow cases and bed mattress.

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