Fiji Ministry backs plan to develop projects

[Stacey King]

Fiji Times Onlin Tevita Tuiwavu Saturday, February 18, 2012

THE Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation is stepping up plans to help women's groups to develop poultry and virgin coconut oil projects.

Minister Dr Jiko Luveni said the establishment of the projects would result in the economic empowerment of the women and enable them to walk out of poverty.

Dr Luveni said the ministry recognised the economic contributions and potential of women in the government's move towards reducing poverty.

"The Ministry of Women will continue to economically empower women, particularly rural women, through income-generating programs," she said.

"We've started with a few projects last year like canteen projects, vegetable farming, sewing training, fish ponds and this year we're looking at introducing poultry projects and virgin oil production."

The ministry has also established market booth projects after the British High Commission gave $30,000 for the project last year.

"We opened 11 market booths at the Suva Municipal Markets and the designing and planning was done by the Suva City Council," Dr Luveni said.

"The ministry recognises the challenges of women market vendors to access the market and is committed to providing adequate facilities to ensure they get maximum returns for their hard work."

The ministry has secured the partnership of the municipal councils to replicate similar facilities around the country and provide business training for the vendors.