Banaban women meet on special day

[Stacey King]

FIJI SUN 11/3/2010
A day set aside for Banaban women to promote their handicraft work, exchange and share their skills was a success.
More than 200 people gathered on Rabi Island on Friday, October 29, to witness a huge amount of art work during the Banaban Women’s Day celebration.

Banaban Women’s Organisation president Terikano Takesau said it was a success because the women managed to sell their handicraft to civil servants and islanders.

The celebration, based on the theme “Banaban women of today”, is aimed at promoting the handicraft work of the Banaban women and creativity in composing songs that tell their stories.

Mrs Takesau, who is also a World of Difference candidate under the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation Programme, said her role was to empower women on the island to be productive.

She said Banaban women have been empowered to improve their standard of living by making use of their natural resources.

“While we still market our own products on the island, we are working on promoting development outside the island,” Mrs Takesau said.

“The (Banaban) women need a lot of exposure in order to be recognised because they are creative and talented.

“My acknowledgement to the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foundation for selecting a Banaban woman candidate for the WoD programme.”

Mrs Takesau said the women on the island were talented and skillful but needed the exposure and motivation.

Present at the celebration were women from the Rabi Council of Leaders, community leaders and civil servants on the island.

“The women and the organisation were able to generate their income through the sale of handcrafts,” Mrs Takesau said.

The celebration marks the first gathering of women from all the villages on the island to come together, socialise and share their knowledge and talents.