Fiji’s New Grant Cycle: Empowering Women’s Voices for Change

The Women’s Fund Fiji (WFF) has unveiled its grant cycle for 2024, focusing on empowering 17 new grantee partners dedicated to advancing gender equality and driving substantial social transformation throughout Fiji. This initiative reinforces the WFF’s dedication to supporting a diverse array of women’s groups, gender-diverse organizations, and feminist movements, all anchored in principles of intersectional feminism.

This year, funding will concentrate on five critical areas: Women’s Economic Empowerment, Ending Violence Against Women, Women’s Leadership and Decision-Making, Climate Justice and Humanitarian Action, and Strengthening Women’s Coalitions for Change. Patricia Naisara, Co-Chair of the Governance Board at WFF, highlighted that many grantees will focus their efforts on rural and isolated communities, where they play pivotal roles in promoting sustainable development.

Naisara articulated the WFF’s comprehensive vision, aiming to cultivate inclusive, long-term funding models that align with the nuanced realities of feminist change. This approach prioritizes community-led initiatives that creatively respond to local challenges.

International partners, including representatives from the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions, have also acknowledged the WFF’s contributions to capacity building and awareness within women’s groups. Such collaborative efforts are vital in tackling persistent issues faced by communities.

Among the recipient organizations are the Cicia Women’s Network, Levukana Women’s Association, and the Fiji Cancer Society. The variety of these recipients illustrates a collective commitment to addressing significant issues affecting women and defending their rights across Fiji.

This grant cycle not only provides financial assistance to these organizations but also symbolizes hope in the pursuit of gender equality. It showcases how partnerships between local initiatives and international support can catalyze meaningful social change, empowering women’s voices and contributions in all areas of society. As these initiatives progress, they have the potential to foster significant advancements toward equality, benefiting communities throughout Fiji.