Sakiusa Tubuna, the Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, has emphasized the need to tackle gender inequalities in rural regions, highlighting the tough reality faced by rural women. The remarks came during the launch of the “Joint program accelerating progress towards rural women’s economic empowerment” (JP RWEE), which focuses on supporting communities in the tikina of Magodro in Ba Province and the tikina of Namataku, Nasikawa, Noikoro, and Navatusila in Nadroga/Navosa Province.
Mr. Tubuna described the initiative as representative of a new Fiji, noting the collaboration between Indo-Fijian and iTaukei women in agricultural practices, such as planting pigeon peas and bongo chilies.
The program aims to assist 2,000 women from 30 communities in these regions. Key aspects of the initiative include creating community nurseries, preparing land for 500 vulnerable women, and providing training in food processing, value-adding, and preservation. The program also plans to offer farming equipment and technical training for 200 rural women farmers.
“We aspire to witness a new Fiji where different races collaborate with a unified purpose for the collective benefit of all,” said Mr. Tubuna.