Yes, women in rural areas can run a business?

The women of Lawaki bakery in Tailevu has proven that they are more capable of earning a living, just as men do.

The bakery has been in operation for a year and was opened yesterday by the Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Faiyaz Koya.

Mr Koya said the Lawaki Bakery was a result of the Integrated Human Resource Development Project (IHRDP).

“One of the unique aspects of this project is that while it belongs to the people of Lawaki, the bakery is operated and managed by the women in the community,” the minister said.

“The $130,185 project is an example of Government investment to provide you a leg-up and not a hand-down.”

The chief baker, Penina Kailaki, said: “This project will really help the development of our village, and getting to this point was not easy.”

Mrs Kailaki said sometimes the women would have sleepless nights just to keep up to their target of making the project a success.

“Sometimes our sale in a day is $900 to $1000 and our main market is Queen Victoria School (QVS),” she said.

The bakery supplies 18 dozens of bread twice a week to QVS.

“We are really happy that the sacrifices the community women made towards this project, and it is a success,” said Mrs Kailaki.

“We know this will be of a great benefit to the village and community at large, our biggest gratitude to the Lord and the Government for the support.”

The Government contributed $77,467.77 to the project while the community contributed $20,000.

EDITED BY: NAISA KOROI

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