Pressure on women

THERE is growing pressure on the women of Nasaibitu Village in Tailevu in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent flooding to support their families, says villager Litiana Raralevu.

Mrs Raralevu, who was born and raised in the village, said women have to sought new sources of income to supplement whatever they’ve managed to salvage from their farms.

“Many villagers are farmers and when our root crops are damaged by flooding or other natural disasters we can’t earn money because there’s nothing to sell,” she said.

“So, the women feel the pressure to find alternative sources of income.”

Mrs Raralevu said several women had visited her and her neighbours requesting groceries or other household needs.

“So, we just help each other out,” she added.

However, despite their hardships, Mrs Raralevu said there had been no cases of domestic violence reported in the village.

She said there was a need for agencies and organisations that assisted women to help them find alternative sources of income.

Mother of three Kelera Kalokalo, 32, shared similar sentiments.

“I have three children and my husband didn’t have a full-time job during COVID-19, so I had to prioritise,” she said.

“My youngest one will turn three soon and she has her own needs, such as diapers and powdered milk, so I had to cut back some things from our shopping list because one packet of milk costs around $7.”

Teacher Kalara Naiteqe said it was hard for her to juggle between school work and home.

“Usually, families depend on the woman of the house for food and other needs and our hands are usually tied, but all the struggles during that time have made us stronger,” she said.

“I had to prepare worksheets and other things for my students while looking after my family, so there was an extra burden placed on me.”

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar said she was pleased there were no cases of domestic violence recorded in Nasaibitu Village in Tailevu.