More than 40 women of Semo Village in Nadroga are feeling more empowered than ever before.

This was after the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar, commissioned their new Women’s Resource Centre at the village yesterday.

Village Soqosoqo Vakamarama chairperson Temalesi Navolu thanked the ministry and the Government for their on-going support for their village.

“We are forever grateful for the on-going assistance we have received and this is a landmark for the village women in Semo,” she said.

Ms Navolu said the women were expected to reap direct benefits from the centre.

“This is one way we can come together and sell our produce, and art and handicraft and we are very grateful,” she said.

“It is expected to generate income and skills training opportunities for our rural women in Semo.”

The ministry had assisted the Semo Women’s Group with $30,720.77 to build the resource centre, which will be a great platform for connecting women to markets, given its strategic location which is accessible to those that travel the highway.

Ms Akbar said the opening of the centre was timely; the centre would enhance the economic potential of the village women to largely contribute and capitalise on sectors like tourism, Fijian Made Products and National Women’s Expo.

“It is yet another development created through a co-joint effort and it will have multiple benefits in the lives of this very community that had dedicated itself to see the successful completion of the project before us,” the Minister said.

Ms Akbar said they were providing an enabling environment of learning and opportunities for our grandmothers, mothers and sisters; they must also be given the support to participate fully in the development of their families and become agents of change.

“It is my plea that the older women encourage the involvement of younger women in such projects.”

Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

Feedback:  waisean@fijisun.com.fj