IGP Empowers Women’s Club
THE Fijian Government is committed to Women Economic Empowerment program in Fiji and it is the process that creates opportunities for women to live a happy and respectable life in a society. Women are empowered when they are able to access opportunities in a variety of fields such as in education, profession, lifestyle without any limitations and restrictions.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar while officiating at the handing over of sewing machines to the Sew True Women’s Club in Nasinu.
The $4,559 worth of 12 straight sewing machines and one overlock machine was funded by the Office of the Prime Minister for the Sew True Women’s Club as part of supporting Fiji’s Women Economic Empowerment Program for the members, generate income and to alleviate poverty in the community.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama had made a commitment to support this project.
Sew True Women’s Club was formed by the women who graduated from the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre.
Minister Akbar said the Ministry has been supporting the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre since its inception and she was happy to witness how far the women of the institute have come in terms of progressing their own income generating initiatives.
“The country where men and women work together develops at a faster rate. Empowering women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities and countries. When women are living safe, fulfilled and productive lives, they can reach their full potential.”
“We can contribute our skills to the workforce and also raise happier and healthier children. It signifies that women should be given equal opportunity in every field, irrespective of any discrimination”.
“I’m sure that this income generating project will impact all of you the provision of the machines assistance will not only allow the women’s group to be able to generate their own income but will allow them to diversify their income generating methods and be economically independent to support their families. I always say this, when our women earn, they do not benefit alone – their families and communities benefit as well as they re-invest their income into the wellbeing of their families,” she mentioned.
She also encouraged the women and men to do their part in eliminating discrimination, violence and mistreatment against women which will pave a new way for the future generations in how they will treat the women and girls.
Sew True Women’s Club assistant president, Verenaisi Gonewai thanked Minister Akbar for handing over this income generating project to the club.
“This sewing machines will help generate income to our women members and also their individual families. Our seventeen women members also thanked the support and commitment of the Fijian Government on Women Economic Empowerment Program to the rural and urban communities in Fiji”.
(Source: Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation)