Concerns were expressed during a consultation on the draft national housing policy for 2024-2030 regarding its implications for women in rural areas. Akisi Korodrau, a participant and member of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei, highlighted the need for the policy to consider the unique needs of women, particularly those who are landowners or single mothers living in rural communities.
She questioned how the housing policy would benefit women in these situations, emphasizing that financial criteria for housing standards could disproportionately affect poorer women in villages.
Keith Hornby, a Housing Advisor from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, responded by noting that the draft policy aims to address the issues raised by Korodrau and ensure that existing grants for housing construction through the Ministry of Rural Maritime Development are refined to better serve the needs of women.
Hornby stressed that the policy should provide a strategic vision that acknowledges and addresses the specific challenges faced by women, particularly single women in rural contexts. He advocated for ensuring that village housing grants incorporate adequate support for these groups.