Volunteerism key to social unity, says Minister for Women

Being a social worker and volunteer herself during her humble beginnings, Minister for Women and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, has called on fellow citizens to engage in productive humanitarian volunteer efforts. 

Ms Kiran spoke along the lines of increasing volunteerism efforts in vulnerable communities and assisting Non-Government Organisations (NGO) in these programmes. She made this remark during the 62nd National Federation Party (NFP) Annual General Meeting held in Labasa last Saturday. 

Ms Kiran said while volunteerism was gender neutral and both sexes were invited to lend a help to NGOs in their social work.

She urged aspiring women who want to enter leadership roles in future that volunteerism was the first step. Volunteerism is a selfless act of kindness and compassion shown towards the underprivileged people. 

Ms Kiran said building social cohesion among all races in Fiji remains important to ensure productive initiatives were collaborated together. 

Volunteerism helps to build social cohesion among races, she said.

Nakasi Youth club is an active non-government organisations (NGO) which provides assistance of food packs to single mothers and poor and educational stationeries to needy students. 

Club founder, Mohammed Shafil, said they regularly held membership drives to entice youths to join their volunteerism initiative.  

Mr Shafil said assistance and awareness programs required adequate volunteers to ensure the effectiveness and success of the initiative. 

He went into volunteerism with his NGO to serve the poor and needy people. 

“We youths at times are resourced with everything, yet, we forget to think about those underprivileged, so volunteerism opens your mindset to value life and resources we have," he suggested. 

Elderly welfare priority

Ms Kiran said they prioritise the welfare of older persons and try to create awareness of neglect and crime against older persons.

She said there is a lot of work happening and assured that an older persons policy being developed. Revelation was made
that the ministry would engage in scoping to build a better older person's age care home in Suva and Lautoka.

"This will cater for the increasing number of older persons being left and those with disabilities are served better at their age homes," she added.