Ba Women Fight Climate Change Effect

Members of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei ni Yasana ko Ba, (SSViT) are working hard to minimise the effect of climate change in their province.

The women whose land and coastal areas have been affected by climate change are seeking Government and non-government organisations’ help to mitigate climate change.

Last week, members of the SSViT Ba, and officials from the Ministry of Forestry planted lemon trees along the riverbank at Yavusania Village to prevent soil erosion.

It was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Women’s Fund Fiji (WFF).

Last Tuesday, during a workshop at the Tanoa Skylodge Hotel, women reps from Naviti Island in Yasawa raised concern of their coastal areas that has been affected by climate change.

Nacula District rep, Adi Ateca Vukili said their white sandy beaches were slowly washing away.

Climate change has severely affected coastal areas in Yasawa.

“Before, there were white sandy beaches, now we have more limestones. This is one of the changes we have discovered. We have experienced rapid costal erosion. There are less coconut trees on the beach,” she said.

“We will stand and do whatever we can to mitigate this climate change for our future generations.”

Mereisi Vuceituba from Naviti said coastal erosions had severely affected villages, especially Marou and Kese.

She said SSViT had been working with Government in the technical assessment of the villages.

This includes technical advice and expertise and setting up nurseries for SSViT members in the community, possible reforestation and sustainable agriculture and forestry intervention.

Women rep from the Viseisei Vuda, Iliseva Namuaira said their seawall had been destroyed by strong waves.

“This is one of the issues that women in Vuda are concern about. We asking for some sort of sea defence like in Wailoaloa and Newtown Beach,” Ms Moceituba said.

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