Women’s Fund Fiji (WFF) has unveiled 15 new grants totaling 970,445 FJD to support women’s groups and feminist initiatives across Fiji. The funding targets five strategic areas—ending violence against women, strengthening women’s leadership and decision-making, promoting economic empowerment, advancing climate justice and humanitarian action, and building coalitions for sustained advocacy and change.
WFF’s Executive Director, Victoria Yee, underscored that the 2025 grantees reflect the diversity, creativity, and resilience of Fiji’s women’s rights movement. “From tackling gender-based violence in rural and faith-based communities, to amplifying women’s voices in climate governance, to advancing disability-inclusive leadership, these partners illustrate the interconnected efforts needed for lasting change,” Yee said.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Peter Roberts, reaffirmed Canberra’s commitment to gender equality through the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership, contributing 450,000 FJD to the grant pool. New Zealand’s First Secretary, Jane Anderson, highlighted Fiji’s benefit from a robust network of women’s organizations championing innovative programs to improve opportunities for women and girls, noting that gender equality lays the foundation for a fairer, healthier, more representative, and safer society.
Four organizations are joining the WFF network for the first time, bringing fresh perspectives to the national grantmaking effort. They are Drue Village Women’s Club (Kadavu), Soqosoqo Vakamarama Macuata in the Northern Division (which is supporting governance, leadership, and livelihoods for women, including those displaced by Tropical Cyclone Ana), the Sign Language Interpreters Association Fiji (SLIAF), and Aruka Fiji (which helps women and girls who have experienced violence or trauma to rebuild their lives through rehabilitation, mentoring, and economic opportunities).
Other grantee partners include the Naitasiri Women in Dairy Group, Ba Women’s Rugby Association, Lifebread Stay Connected Foundation, Taveuni Women Empowerment Support Group, Tikina o Mudu Women’s Group, Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei, Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei Lau, Save The Children, Transcend Oceania, FemLINK Pacific, and Medical Services Pacific.
The 2025 grants are supported through partnerships with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the New Zealand Aid Programme (MFAT), and a slate of global funders including Mama Cash, Equality Fund, Prospera, Women’s Fund Asia, and Fenomenal Funds. This international backing reinforces a regional commitment to grassroots women’s movements and to community-led development across Fiji.
Impact and future coverage
– The grants aim to empower communities across urban, rural, and remote areas, aligning with WFF’s ongoing multi-year program to resource grassroots and feminist organizations.
– The inclusion of disability-focused and sign-language groups signals a more inclusive approach to leadership and advocacy.
– The collaboration with Australia and New Zealand highlights regional investment in women’s rights as a driver of broader development outcomes.
Follow-up angles and value-add
– Profiles of the four new partner organizations to illustrate how they will implement Rise and Thrive, governance, or trauma-informed programs on the ground.
– Case studies showing how previous WFF grants have translated into concrete community resilience, livelihoods, or climate adaptation.
– An explainer on the Vuvale Partnership and how international funding mechanisms support Fiji’s grassroots campaigns.
– Suggested reader prompts: how communities can partner with WFF and what success looks like for survivors of gender-based violence in different regions.
Summary
Women’s Fund Fiji has distributed 970,445 FJD in grants to 15 organizations, continuing its support for gender equality, leadership, and resilience across Fiji. Four new partners join the network, including groups focused on rural empowerment, disability-inclusive leadership, and trauma recovery. With backing from Australia, New Zealand, and a range of global philanthropic partners, the program reinforces a shared regional commitment to grassroots feminism and long-term social change.
Positive note
By funding a diverse mix of groups—from rural women’s clubs to disability-inclusive organizations—the initiative strengthens local capacity, broadens advocacy reach, and helps build a more inclusive, hopeful future for Fiji’s communities.
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