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‘Rural women play a big role to bring the prevention of crime, especially in the rural areas as most of the reports in Nausori comes from the rural areas.’

International Rural Women’s Day is celebrated every October to acknowledge the contribution of women towards nationbuilding.

The celebration, which was held in Nausori Market on Tuesday acknowledged rural and urban market vendors in Fiji.

Station Officer at Nausori Police Station, Matelita Daveta, who was chief guest for the celebration, said: “Rural women play a lot of roles to prevent crime, especially the rural areas as most of the reports in Nausori comes from the rural areas. I am so thankful that the women here are showing support to us as we do and vice versa,” Ms Daveta said.

Ana Valu, 68, is a market vendor for 10 years said, dalo, boiled cassava, taro and other crops that she sells at Nausori Market were brought all the way from her home at Bau, Tailevu.

“Every day I travel from Tailevu to Nausori, which is very challenging since I travel in a boat or by bus every day.

“The sacrifice is paying off well as I get good money from Nausori compared to my village,” she said.

Josevini Tauvukivuki, 54, also from Tailevu, talked about how her life changed when she decided to sell at in the Nausori Market.

“It was not easy for me at first, but I still tackle the struggle I go through as a rural woman although I have a small market business. “I catch fish from the sea around 6am and return home at night. “We are five women who help out in fishing.

“We do this on every Thursdays and Fridays,” Ms Tauvukivuki said.

She said there were times when rural women do not know how to make money and she advised the women to try although things may become difficult. She said achieving success is not always easy.