Minister for Women, Chil­dren and Poverty Allevia­tion Mereseini Vuniwaqa has begun her Northern tour on Monday with the purpose of strengthening the women’s club.

“The Ministry does not only look after the needs of women but those that are also important to us such as our children and elderly par­ents,” Mrs Vuniwaqa said.

“The main agenda for our meet­ing today (Tuesday) at Somosomo in Taveuni is to discuss how we can improve the women’s club income generating projects and in what ways we can provide assistance.

“We are here to listen to your opin­ions and strategies on what the club already knows and what skills you need to learn in order to generate income within the club.”

Mrs Vuniwaqa said she was in Sa­vusavu a few months ago to open a ground given by the Province of Cakaudrove specifically for women to sell their handicraft.

“I can recall when cruise ships would arrive, women would sell their handicraft to tourists,” she said.

“There are some women who are still struggling to find a market for their handicraft but for Savusavu they already have a market.

“It has been noticed that when a woman is financially independent, the economic life of the family is stable, and also benefits the church, and the vanua.

The provincial office has given a space for women to sell their handi­craft and Savusavu is blessed as the marketing agency is available.

There are issues that we need to discuss and address and I will con­tinue with the visit today in Taveu­ni and later move to some parts in Cakaudrove tomorrow (Thursday).

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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