Fiji cannot fulfill its potential as a nation without the full participation of women in our development and national life.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama made this statement while opening the Ba Women’s Forum Training Centre yesterday.

“We need every woman’s talent and drive and, we need their dreams for what they and this nation can achieve,” he said.

Mr Bainimarama said the journey of Ba Women’s Forum started six years ago and now it has changed the lives of many Fijian women.

“The facility will offer specific training in mother of pearl cultivation, handicraft recycling, the use of bamboo, food preparation, computer literacy and weaving,” he said.

Meanwhile, around 32 women from different women clubs within Ba also graduated yesterday with their certificates they attained from the training centre.

Mr Bainimarama also encouraged women to start doing small businesses for their community or train other women with skills.

He also thanked the Japanese government for its contribution in funding the construction of the building and its contribution will continue to the empowerment of women in Ba.

Ba Women’s Forum president Maria Doton said for years they have been looking for support to help them establish a training centre

Edited by Percy Kean

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