The Women’s Fund Fiji (WFF) has initiated its 2024 grant cycle, awarding funding to 17 new grantee partners dedicated to promoting gender equality and fostering significant social change across Fiji. The organization emphasized its commitment to supporting a variety of women’s groups, gender-diverse organizations, and feminist movements guided by intersectional feminist principles.
The funding this year is concentrated on five crucial areas: Women’s Economic Empowerment, Ending Violence Against Women, Women’s Leadership and Decision-Making, Climate Justice and Humanitarian Action, and Strengthening Women’s Coalitions for Change. Patricia Naisara, Co-Chair of the Governance Board, highlighted that many of the grantee partners are actively engaged in rural, semi-rural, and remote communities, underscoring their vital role in enhancing community resilience and instigating sustainable change in areas where it is most needed.
“Our vision for the Fund is to cultivate inclusive and long-term funding approaches that respond to the intersectional realities of feminist social change, honoring principles of redistribution and collaborative partnerships,” Naisara stated. She emphasized that movements begin within communities and that supporting local leaders is essential for driving change.
The Australian High Commission’s senior program manager acknowledged the remarkable efforts made by these partners to advance gender equality through capacity building and raising awareness within their communities. The commitment to gender equality is also reflected in Australia’s Foreign Policy, which seeks to empower women leaders and bolster their economic advancement through collaboration with various stakeholders.
Jane Anderson, representing the New Zealand High Commission, reiterated the NZ Government’s dedication to fostering resilience and community-centered development in the Pacific, particularly in rural and maritime regions. She noted that the support for WFF’s work has enhanced their capacity to serve women in remote areas effectively.
The 2024 grant cycle has notably provided funding to organizations such as the Cicia Women’s Network, Levukana Women’s Association, Taveuni Empowerment Women’s Support Group, and others, all working toward empowering women and advocating for their rights.
This initiative not only showcases the growing support for gender equality in Fiji but also highlights how collaborative efforts between local organizations and international partners can lead to transformative change. By empowering women at the grassroots level, WFF and its partners are paving the way for a more equitable future where women’s voices are amplified and their rights are recognized.
In summary, the Women’s Fund Fiji is taking commendable strides in advancing gender equity through financial support and empowerment initiatives, emphasizing the importance of grassroots movements in effecting meaningful change.
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