Fijian women are gearing up to gain significant advantages from a $5 million Canadian-funded regional initiative designed to enhance women’s livelihoods and leadership amidst the challenges posed by climate change. Launched on Friday in Suva by Canadian Secretary of State for International Development, Randeep Sarai, the five-year project titled Women POWER: Pacific Oceanic Women Enhancing Resilience highlights the critical role women play in fostering resilient communities across the Pacific.
Sarai emphasized the empowerment of women and girls, stating that when they have the necessary tools to lead, earn an income, and advocate for their rights, the entire family unit becomes stronger, and communities are better equipped to confront various challenges. He identified support for women’s empowerment as one of the most strategic investments for achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
The initiative aims to reach nearly 10,000 beneficiaries across Fiji, Kiribati, and Vanuatu, with approximately 70 percent of those benefitting projected to be women. Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, noted that climate change represents the most significant threat to Pacific communities, particularly impacting women who are often the most affected.
Kiran highlighted the crucial roles women play in fisheries, food security, and household resilience, underscoring the negative effects climate change has on these essential functions. She revealed that data from gender assessments in Fiji indicates that women, particularly those heading households, face heightened challenges during disasters. For instance, after Tropical Cyclone Winston, households led by divorced or widowed women encountered starkly higher poverty rates.
The Women POWER project aligns with Fiji’s national gender and climate priorities and aims to bolster women’s leadership and involvement in decision-making processes. Kiran stated that women possess the knowledge, skills, and innovative solutions needed to tackle the obstacles they encounter. Empowering women not only benefits them individually but also uplifts entire communities.
Investing in women’s capabilities is deemed vital for achieving sustainable development and enhancing climate resilience in Fiji and throughout the Pacific, paving the way for a hopeful and more equitable future for all.
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