When a nation empowers women in rural communities, they will contribute positively to foster economic growth.

This was highlighted by Assistant Minister for Women, Children, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Veena Bhatnagar during International Women’s Day celebration at the Labasa Civic Centre yesterday.

“Families need to support girls within their homes foremost in making strong-minded, progressive and passionate women who can influence greater positive changes for themselves and those around them,” Ms Bhatnagar told a crowded room.

“In contrast to the past centuries, we find women, literate, educated, and liberated to lead and we have the highest number of women Parliamentarians in Fiji’s democratic history.

“It goes without saying, that when a family is suffering, the burden to fix everything is the hardest felt by women, the mothers of the families.

“Their unpaid and care work increase, their hard work to feed the family increase, their economic activities and participants is affected, the violence inflicted on them increase, she forgets herself and goes to any extent to make sure  her family’s welfare is taken care of and that they are safe in challenging times like disasters and pandemics.”

Ms Bhatnagar said the Government believed in tearing down laws and policies that discriminated against women and putting in place laws and policies that empowered them.

“We believe that Fijian women can and will utilise these empowerment strategies to contribute positively to nation-building,” she said.

Ilisabeta Koliloa said this was the second time she was attending the celebrations adding that there were more women participating.

For another participant, Bimla Wati, she said it was good to be surrounded by women who supported each other especially those living in the rural communities who were utilising their limited resources to survive.

Feedback: laisa.kabulevu@fijisun.com.fj