Minister to 'capture' island situation - Rabi Island

[Stacey King]

Fiji Times Online Salaseini Vosamana Tuesday, August 02, 2011

SOCIAL Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Minister Doctor Jiko Luveni will visit villages in the Northern Division next week in a bid to empower disadvantaged women.

Dr Luveni will visit Makolei and Nabouwalu villages in Bua and Rabi Island from August 9 to11.

Dr Luveni said her tour was part of the Government's initiative to empower the communities in rural and outer islands.

"The visit to Rabi is based on the requests by women on the island to have a formal discussion on issues concerning their development," she said.

"It is important to hear out the grievances and needs of those women in the outer islands so the Government can reach out and assist them to live a better life.

"Our target is to address the needs of the people at grassroots level and the trip to Rabi will see numerous issues to be captured and addressed."

Dr Luveni will also be handing over eight electrical sewing machines to the Banaban Women's Organisation and other villages listed in her schedule to boost the income-generating projects of women on the island.

She said the sewing machines would motivate women to become financially secure and further assistance based on their needs would also be provided to improve their economic status.