The Australian government is pledging F$16 million over the next seven years to the Fiji Women’s Fund for the advancement of gender equality in Fiji.

The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar, and Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Steven Ciobo officially launched the Fiji Women’s Fund at Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre in Nasinu yesterday.

Ms Akbar said the Fiji Women’s Fund was a commitment by the Australian government to fund the CSO supporting women empowerment and grassroot women’s groups in the advancement of gender equality and women’s right.

“Fiji is indeed grateful for the support towards women empowerment through Civil Society Organisation (CSO); it’s aimed at improving the women’s participation in leadership and decision-making,” Ms Akbar said.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Mr Ciobo said: “There is no doubt that Fiji like Australia faces challenges of gender empowerment, we know that women girls must have equal status to man.”

He said it was a great pleasure that the Australian government through Australian Aid provide some F$16 million over the next seven years to support the Fijian Women’s Fund.

“We see this is as really important funding and I know it will be used well by Fijian CSO to make that Women’s Fund is able to help to empower Fijian women and break down the barriers and ensure there is brighter future for them,” he said.

The aim of the Fiji Women’s Fund is to provide relevant, long-term support to a range of women’s groups in Fiji that are working towards empowering women and girls economically, politically and socially.

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