Women urged to help tackle violence, unemployment and hardship

Women in Fiji are expected to play a leading role in addressing growing social challenges following the launch of the Lami Women’s Forum in Suva.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said the new platform comes at a time when families are facing rising living costs, domestic violence, unemployment, substance abuse and mental health concerns.

“Communities across Suva are experiencing increasing social and economic pressures including high youth unemployment, HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, financial hardship and persistent violence against women and children,” Ms Kiran said.

She said women continued to shoulder significant responsibilities within households while also contributing to income generation and caregiving.

The formation of the Lami Women’s Forum follows two years of discussions and aims to provide a safe space for women to raise concerns, strengthen leadership and access government support programmes and services.

The forum is also intended to connect community networks with vulnerable households and improve social protection outreach.

Ms Kiran also highlighted Fiji’s labour skills shortage, revealing the country was recruiting bakers, drivers and machine operators from overseas.

She urged community leaders to identify unemployed women with skills in baking, tailoring, catering and farming so they could access training and micro-qualifications to enter the formal workforce.

Women’s economic empowerment remains a key Government priority, she said.

Ms Kiran reiterated that violence against women and girls remained a national crisis and urged communities to reject abuse.

Forum members were encouraged to become a “beacon of safety” and support vulnerable families.

Uluniwai resident Ukita Tadulala said the rising cost of living had forced many families to return to farming to survive.

She said owning a small piece of land had helped her family grow food and reduce dependence on expensive supermarket goods.

“Women are now taking on responsibilities traditionally carried out by men and are proving to be strong contributors within homes and communities,” Ms Tadulala said.

She described the workshop as eye-opening and different from many others she had attended.

The initiative brings together 25 women’s group representatives and reinforces calls for survivors of violence to seek help from Police, health and social services rather than remain silent.