A significant majority of women continue to perform about 80 percent of unpaid care work in their households and communities, a reality that also reflects the situation in Fiji, according to the Minister for Women, Lynda Tabuya. Speaking at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Beijing +30 in Thailand, she emphasized the urgent need for initiatives aimed at empowering women, particularly in the caregiving sector.
Ms. Tabuya highlighted Tonga’s Integrated Aged Care Project in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a potential model for Fiji. This project aims to support caregivers, primarily women, by providing caregiver allowances as a form of employment for the caregiving duties they undertake.
During her visit to Bogota, Colombia, she discovered the innovative concept of ‘care blocks.’ These care blocks serve as resource hubs where women who are not formally employed can access a variety of empowerment programs, including vocational training, health care services, daycare for their children, and mental health counseling. These facilities also provide aged care services, allowing caregivers to bring elderly family members while they utilize the programs.
Ms. Tabuya described these care blocks as a vital resource that enables women, who are usually the primary caregivers, to gather various support services in one place. She noted that such initiatives could be implemented in Fiji without additional costs beyond existing national budgets by collaborating with local governments to create these spaces.
This vision for inter-ministerial cooperation could significant improve the quality of life for many women and their families, setting the stage for a more equitable distribution of caregiving responsibilities. The establishment of care blocks could provide essential support while simultaneously recognizing women’s invaluable contributions to their households and communities.
With targeted policies and community engagement, there is hope for a future where caregiving is supported, valued, and balanced more equitably between genders, enabling women to thrive both at home and in their careers.
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