Ministry Boosts Fisher Women of Tailevu
Throughout history, the central role of women in society has ensured the stability, progress and long-term development of nations.
Women of every colour, creed and social status around the globe have evolved with time and education. Women are also known as the primary caretakers of children and elders. International studies demonstrate that when the economy and political organisation of a society change, women take the lead in the family to adjust to new realities and challenges amidst social and traditional beliefs and norms.
Women, have over the years been the face of resilience despite having to juggle the many environmental challenges.
In Fiji, women in fisheries have since continued to play a key role in supporting their households and communities in achieving food and nutrition security, generating income and improving livelihoods and over-all wellbeing.
In the face of climate change our women fishers are faced with new challenges like changing fish migratory patterns, changing habitats and species distribution.
Therefore, women need to spend longer hours out at sea, exposed to adverse weather conditions, limited catch per trip, and other chain of events, including social, cultural and gender gaps that provide a whole new aspect to fishing in the new norm.
This week, we highlight the struggles and triumphs of 53 fisher women in the village of Vuci, Tokatoka in the province of Tailevu.
They are part of the Vuci Women’s Group which had been established over two decades ago.
Their ages range from the 20s to the late 70s and over the years they have shown true commitment in working together so as to progress the needs for their community and more so for their individual families.
Handover from PM
The Vuci Women’s group recently received a timely boost as they were supplied a boat and engine from the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
The gesture continues to be a part of Government’s efforts to provide access to greater opportunities available to add value to existing livelihood options for our women and expand income streams for our communities.
The assistance was timely and alleviated so many inherent issues faced by women fishers around rural and maritime communities in the face of the global pandemic and the ongoing threats of climate change.
Mr Bainimarama at this handover ceremony was accompanied by several other Cabinet Ministers namely the Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa, Minister for Defence Inia Seruiratu and Minister for Infrastructure and Meterological Services Jone Usamate.
The handover was also part of the opening of the Wainibokasi Fisheries Quarters.
“My Government is always happy to assist people in our communities, especially during the trying times that we are going through with COVID-19. We aim to develop everyone together as a nation so that no one is left behind,” PM said. Mr Koroilavesau said that the provision of the boat and engine was part of Government’s immediate and ongoing strategy to alleviate the challenges brought on by COVID-19.
Women respond
Vuci Women’s Group leader, Lice Materua said the assistance could not have come at a better time. “When we received word from the Ministry of Fisheries that our boat and engine was going to be handed over to us by the Prime Minister, we were over the moon,” said an elated Ms Materua.
“We usually go out to sea to collect brackish water shrimps or commonly known as ‘ Moci’ in the ITaukei language. Before we used to hire boats at only certain times, but now we are able to use our own boat at our own time,” ssaid Ms Materua.
She added that ‘moci’ has been a source of income for the women in the village and they usually earn up to $80 to $100 a week.
Potato sacks and small mesh sized nets are often used by the women to collect the moci from the estuaries which often comprise a mixture of salt water and fresh water.
“During the lockdown and extended school break, we were taking our children with us and teaching them at the same time on how to collect moci.”
“Moci is a delicacy for the villages in the Rewa and Tailevu provinces. We enjoy catching them as well for our families and including it in our meal plans as they are a huge source of protein,” Ms Materua said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected some of the families in the village as their children were laid off from work.
“We have a few elderly women in the group who have had their children and their families return to the village to take up farming on a full-time basis. Now they are also doing community development work in the village.
“One thing that we always stress to our families is that as long as we have a strong support system and a staunch faith, nothing matters because we will always look out for each other,” she said.
Village headman
Village Headman, Timoci Tilolo says that the women’s group have grown from strength to strength and he is always grateful for their support in village developments.
“The village is proud to have a strong group that has always been supportive of projects for the betterment of the community. We are most thankful for the roles that they play in their own homes and I believe that I say this on behalf of everyone in the village,” Mr Tilolo said.
He said the village had launched its Five Years Strategic Plan back in 2018 and that the women had played an important role in achieving the objectives set out.
“The women play an integral part as well in the village to achieve its vision and we are most thankful for the timely assistance that they have received from Government. It only means that they will be able to elevate their work further and prosper in other areas they wish to venture into,” Mr Tilolo said.
The women have future plans and hope to explore other fishing activities on a larger scale.
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Fisheries for the technical advice and support that is often rendered to us. We hope to venture into other forms of fishing and making great use of the boat and engine that have been given to us,” Ms Materua said.
“We are also involved in various handicraft businesses and are thinking of other ways and means in which we can earn money individually for our families.
The Vuci Women’s Group hope that their story will inspire other women around the country to explore the vast opportunities around them and to not be afraid to look and ask for assistance.
“Please don’t be shy to knock on doors of Government departments and other agencies if you need to. There is a larger support system out there which we just need to tap into. As women, we must never limit ourselves, but go beyond our means. Our families need us and it’s times like these that we need to show our strength as women,” she said.
The new boat and engine was expected to boost the collection and sales of shrimps for the women as they continue to sustain themselves and their families.
The Vuci Women’s Group is now empowered to vision beyond their past challenges and actively pursue entrepreneurship skills to provide greater opportunities for their homes and community as a whole. Empowering communities socially and economically continues to be a part of Government’s immediate and ongoing strategy to alleviate the challenges brought on by COVID-19.