A sanitary pad production centre was yesterday opened at the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP) base in Labasa.

The Ability Shine Centre which was formerly based at the FCNDP complex in Suva has been brought to the North in an attempt to make lives for rural women much easier and at the same time empower students.

While officiating at the event, the FNCDP Executive Director Doctor Sitveni Yanuyanutawa said they hoped to include more disabled women to be a part of the production process.

“It will be a big plus for rural women, who are using hygienic product especially for their reproductive health,” Dr Yanuyanutawa said.

“And we hope to involve women with disabilities and it is in this particular project.”

The students at the centre have been trained to perform these duties and this was showcased during the opening yesterday.

The raw material, cotton, goes through five processes before it is packed in a packet of ten and currently sold at $2 in supermarkets.

He said they had other plans like constructing a Western Centre to cater for persons with disability from Rakiraki to Sigatoka. It is proposed that this be based in Lautoka.

“That are some of the development that we will be able to push forward to make persons with disabilities more visible in all levels,” Dr Yanuyanutawa said.

He continued to urge persons living with disabilities to come forward so their skills could be developed.

“We need support from their caregivers, their significant other and family members to be able to assist them and up skill them so they do not become a burden or more of a liability to their families,” Dr Yanuyanutawa said.

“When they go through these trainings, they will be able to become assets and spin money back into their families.”

There are close to 150 students that attend the council centres in Suva and Labasa.

Edited by Paula Tuvuki

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