Expanding roles in Fiji

[Stacey King]

Fiji Times Online Serelisoni Moceica Friday, February 17, 2012

TEN poultry and 10 virgin coconut oil projects are being targeted by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation at a total cost of $70,000 for the year.

In a statement yesterday, the ministry revealed the projects were part of the Livelihood Program designed for women's groups across the country.

The budgetary allocation has been increased by the government for this year's program because of the need to financially empower women through income-generating projects.

During her tour of Naisogovau in Tailevu, Minister Dr Jiko Luveni said the government was committed to assisting rural communities in the maximum use of their resources.

"The ministry will assist Naisogovau women through the Livelihood Program to start a poultry project," Dr Luveni said.

"And this is part of government's move to economically empower rural women through the Women's Plan of Action (2010 to 2019)."

Ministry media officer Anshoo Chandra said they were monitoring 16 poultry projects that were also established under the program last year.

Another $100,000 has been put aside for the ministry's partnership with non-governmental women organisations.

The NGO grant assisted 31 income-generating projects established last year.

"Women have the skills, resources and talent, so the ministry assists them to recognise this potential in the maximum utilisation of resources and help improver their livelihoods," Ms Chandra said.