Recovery centre set to empower vulnerable women

Vulnerable women in Nadogo district, Macuata, and surrounding areas will be accommodated at the Fiji Barefoot College to serve as a recovery centre during the college's 'off-season'.

Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection acting permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca said the facility would be multi-purposed to serve as a sanctuary and recovery centre for vulnerable women.

The Fiji Barefoot College will officially open its doors on April 24 at Wainikoro in Nadogo, Macuata, after a seven-year construction period that began in 2019.

Ms Kuruleca visited the site of the newly constructed college yesterday.

The off-season refers to the period when the facility completes its solar-powered systems training for women participants, leaving the facility free for other uses.

This includes accommodating women challenged by alcohol or drug abuse, victims of domestic violence, and those facing difficult family situations.

Ms Kuruleca said the ministry would undertake a one-month program to help affected women rebuild their lives and gain employable and income-generating skills.

She acknowledged that social reintegration and readjustment initiatives needed improvement to ensure maximum impact, noting that some street dwellers and children return to the streets within weeks.

“This shows that we are not providing adequate social reintegration and readjustment skills,” she said.

The permanent secretary said the ministry aimed to maximise the off-season at the Barefoot College to provide spiritual, economic, and mental health support.

She believes this would help individuals cope with life’s challenges and become independent.

She acknowledged the support of the vanua in Nadogo, where Tui Nadogo, Ratu Ilisaniti Malodali, agreed that the facility should be multi-purposed to support needy people.

The facility has been described as a guiding light for women in the Northern Division and a sanctuary for the community. “When you empower women, you empower a nation,” she explained.

Women’s rights advocate in Nadogo, Akisi Vinaka, expressed overwhelming support for the initiative.

She said the project would ensure women facing adversities are not left behind and are equipped with skills to contribute and be valued in society.

“Through income-generating skills and knowledge, women gain respect and acknowledgement from their households and villages.

The days of managing only housework and children are gone; we live in a world where income and community development skills matter the most,” Ms Vinaka added.