Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa (left) visiting stalls during the Northern craft show at the Foreshore Park in Savusavu on February 2018.
The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, is convinced that Fijian women artisans have great potential to produce high quality crafts from their homes.
During the opening of the Northern craft show at the Foreshore Park in Savusavu yesterday, Mrs Vuniwaqa said this has been proven over the past years as the number of participants lessened year after year.
Yet she said the total sales kept increasing.
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“This craft show is the fourth one in the series of craft shows to be held in the 2017-2018 fiscal year and it is pleasing to see the support that has been rendered to the women artisans of the division by all who are gathered from the three provinces,” Mrs Vuniwaqa said.
“I am told that a total of 120 women artisans are participating in this three days craft show, 40 from each of the three provinces- Bua, Macuata and Cakaudrove.
Of all exhibitors, 80 will be selected to participate at the National Women’s Expo in Suva, based on their ability to meet market demands and off course the quality of their products.”
She said the fourth national women’s expo will be from June 21 to 23 this year.
“The focus of this year’s expo is for artisans to produce quality products that are a level up from the last National Women’s Expo and to build a new business culture amongst rural women artisans so that their products can connect to the growing market here in Fiji and abroad,” she said.
“By doing so our women can enjoy a financial uplift to meet their own needs and in pursuing a better livelihood for their own families and communities alike.
This initiative will also keep alive traditional knowledge and skills which are our own identity and heritage as well.
“The competitive platform will bring the very best amongst women entrepreneurs so that their hard work will bring economic benefits and financial independence.
“We also believe that poverty can be alleviated as these artisans pursue better financial freedom and independence.”
The divisional craft shows are a build up to the national women’s expo.
Edited by Naisa Koroi
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