Minister for Women Sashi Kiran emphasized that climate change adaptation must be led by local communities, incorporate community knowledge, and prioritize women’s leadership during the launch of the Pasifika WE Guardians (PWEG) Project in Nadi. She highlighted the vital role of women-led, nature-based enterprises in the Pacific, stating that they enhance household incomes, protect ecosystems, and reduce the losses associated with climate change, all while fostering resilience in communities.
The PWEG Project, which commenced in March 2024 with a significant investment of $7.8 million from the Canadian government, targets climate-vulnerable regions in Fiji, Samoa, and Tuvalu. Ms. Kiran pointed out that initiatives in sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, coastal protection, fisheries, eco-tourism, and traditional natural products illustrate how economic empowerment aligns with environmental stewardship.
She observed that, for the Pacific, climate change is not a distant issue but a pressing reality, manifested through rising sea levels, intensified cyclones, droughts, coastal erosion, and flooding, all of which jeopardize homes, livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage. Minister Kiran recounted the devastation faced by women in Nakorotubu, Ra, where homes were destroyed by the category five Tropical Cyclone Winston, asserting that recovery may take years.
Kiran noted that natural disasters impact all communities, particularly rural, maritime, and outer island areas, where women bear the brunt of these challenges. However, she recognized Pacific women as custodians of crucial knowledge about land, oceans, food systems, and community resilience. This is especially true for indigenous women and those in both formal and informal economies, who manage resources and respond to climate shocks daily.
Highlighting Fiji’s diverse strengths, Ms. Kiran stressed the importance of acknowledging the role and voices of all women in sustaining livelihoods and contributing to green, nature-based economies. She concluded that empowering women not only fortifies communities but also enhances ecosystem protection and promotes a faster, more sustainable recovery from disasters, aligning with Fiji’s Climate Change Act which incorporates gender equality as a key principle for effective climate action.
This initiative showcases a hopeful vision for the future, where the empowerment of women leads to resilient communities capable of thriving amid the challenges posed by climate change.
Leave a comment