The Fiji Women’s Economic Empowerment National Action Plan (WEE NAP) for 2025–2030 has been unveiled as a strategic roadmap aimed at significantly enhancing women’s empowerment across the nation. Speaking in Parliament, Women Minister Sashi Kiran highlighted the ambitious goals set forth in the new framework, notably aiming to increase women’s participation in various sectors, including the labor force, business ownership, and leadership positions.
Current figures show that women’s participation in the labor force stands at 32 percent, with a goal to elevate this to 60 percent by 2030. Additionally, the plan targets raising the percentage of women owning registered micro, small, and medium enterprises from 19 percent to 50 percent by 2029. In the realm of political representation, the plan calls for increasing women’s seats in Parliament from 10 percent to 30 percent and their presence on non-commercial boards from 27 percent to 50 percent.
The WEE NAP emphasizes two key approaches: promoting economic empowerment for women at both the individual and community levels, and addressing structural inequalities in economic policies through gender mainstreaming and responsive planning. This strategic focus is designed to create an environment where women of diverse backgrounds can thrive and contribute to economic growth.
Minister Kiran outlined that advancing gender parity in education is also a priority, with a focus on increasing female enrollment in tertiary STEM courses from 25 percent to 50 percent by 2029. This goal echoes the sentiment in previous discussions of the National Development Plan, which seeks to incorporate gender considerations into development processes across all sectors.
The commitment to fostering women’s economic empowerment is expected to yield positive outcomes for families and communities while driving national economic progress. As Fiji embraces this transformative journey, there is hope that these initiatives will lead to substantial advancements in women’s roles, paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous society for all citizens.
This comprehensive approach signifies not only a necessary step towards gender equity but also reflects a broader understanding that the empowerment of women is crucial for the overall economic growth of Fiji. As the government and various stakeholders align their efforts behind the vision of inclusivity and opportunity, the prospects for meaningful change remain bright.
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