Fiji’s Rural Women Push for Outreach as Poverty Grows

In 2001, the Labasa Women’s Forum highlighted a concerning increase in poverty among women in the Northern Division of Fiji. The forum reported that many women in rural areas struggled to voice their issues, leading to a need for greater outreach from relevant authorities. Manju Ram, the forum’s co-ordinator, stated that assessments conducted over a nine-month period indicated that poverty was becoming a significant problem for women.

Ram emphasized the limited opportunities available to rural women, urging the Ministry of Women and Culture to enhance its outreach programs. “Our request is for the ministry to reach out to rural areas and set up programs that could assist women in some way,” she remarked.

The Labasa Women’s Forum, a non-governmental organization, has taken steps to support needy families in Vanua Levu by providing scholarships, though Ram pointed out that the organization’s resources have limitations.

In a celebration of International Women’s Day that year, the forum organized an event at the Labasa Civic Centre, attracting around 150 women from local communities such as Wainikoro, Daku, and Seaqaqa. Although some women were hesitant to participate, the turnout was encouraging. Health concerns affecting women in the North were addressed by three representatives from the Ministry of Health during this gathering.

Simultaneously, in Lautoka, a one-day workshop focused on rape and sexual abuse took place, organized by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre. Fifty women aged 19 to 60 attended the event at the Cathay Hotel, part of the International Women’s Day celebrations. Salote Malo, the centre’s counselling supervisor, shared that the workshop aimed to raise awareness about the increasing rates of sexual offences. Contributions came from the Police Sexual Offences Unit and the Social Welfare Department, providing vital information and support.

Participants included members from various women’s groups, such as the Prison Wives Club, fostering a sense of community and shared knowledge on handling incidents of sexual abuse and supporting one another in their respective environments. This collective effort demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing women’s issues in Fiji, signaling hope for stronger support systems in the future.