For 58-year-old Latu Hola, the daily commute from Suva to Kaiming Agro Processing Pte Ltd in Navua is often a test of resilience, covering a grueling 90-kilometre round trip to work as a ginger cutter for one of Fiji’s key ginger exporters. Latu’s experience highlights the financial challenge of long commutes; often, she finds herself unable to afford her return fare, forcing her to seek temporary accommodation in Navua until she is able to pay for her bus fare back home.
However, a positive shift occurred for Latu and her colleagues when a new women’s dormitory was inaugurated in March with the support of the Australian and New Zealand governments through the PHAMA Plus Program. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the safety and empowerment of female workers at Kaiming Agro Processing. The dormitory not only provides much-needed accommodation but also acts as a safe haven, aligning with the company’s commitment to workplace inclusivity and initiatives to curb domestic violence, a pervasive issue in Fiji that affects approximately two out of three women.
The introduction of a Workplace Domestic Violence Policy by Kaiming Agro Processing emphasizes the importance of safety, confidentiality, and support for survivors, fostering a zero-tolerance environment towards domestic violence. Calvin Qiu, the company’s Managing Director, recognizes the critical role that employees like Latu and her peers play in the success of the business, stating that uninterrupted work by ginger cutters is vital for production continuity.
Latu’s sentiment is echoed by her colleague Mereseini Moceyawa, who also faces challenges during her commute, particularly during heavy rainfall. The women’s accommodation initiative has significantly reduced travel-related stress and has allowed them to better focus on their work.
The impact of such initiatives extends beyond Fiji. In Vanuatu, a similar support structure is underway, led by Ronaldine Tchivi, a young food safety certification specialist who is making significant strides in empowering local producers through her collaboration with PHAMA Plus. Her work underscores the importance of women in traditionally male-dominated fields and highlights how knowledge-sharing and certification can enhance global trade capabilities.
These efforts are part of a broader trend in Fiji and the Pacific region, where initiatives aimed at fostering workplace equality and combating gender-based violence are gaining momentum. By supporting women’s roles in agriculture and business, these programs are setting the stage for a more equitable and productive future, not just for individual workers, but also for communities and economies at large. The growing commitment to gender equality in Fiji brings hope and a sense of empowerment, paving the way for women to become catalysts for positive change in their workplaces and beyond.
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