Women in Fiji are making strides in various initiatives, as highlighted by Adi Asilika Lalawa, the leader of the women’s organization in Naqarani, Rewa. This organization has been in existence for some time, but it has not always been actively engaged compared to others.
Each year, the group participates in the Women Expo, gaining valuable knowledge and experiences. This year, their organization has seen renewed efforts and support.
About 30 women from the local community are part of the organization, which is actively supported by ADRA (Adventist Development Relief Agency). These women meet regularly on Mondays to work on handcrafts, and they receive 50 seeds to assist their organization’s initiatives.
Despite facing challenges stemming from negative societal perceptions, these women are committed to changing the narrative and advancing their business endeavors.
Recently, the women welcomed initial support from ADRA, which they greatly appreciated. ADRA visited them in Noco a few weeks ago, responding to their request for assistance with necessary materials for their work.
ADRA has been instrumental in providing items like seeds, seedlings, and other agriculture-related supplies. The women are dedicated to enhancing the output from their farming efforts.
They have a small plot of land next to their meeting house where they are actively cultivating. The projects they plan to undertake will enable them to enrich their community and increase their capacity.
The women express that while not all women participate actively, those who do significantly contribute to advancing their organization, showing promise for future development.
Furthermore, ADRA offers training to help them improve their production methods and enhance their understanding of sustainable practices.
Despite the challenges, these women remain resilient and are eager to further develop their organization, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and learning from each other to succeed.