Major setbacks can occur if women increase their economic engagement in our society without the assistance of others.

Minister for Women and Children Mereseini Vuniwaqa made this statement while officiating at the SPBD Businesswoman of the Year Awards last night.

Vuniwaqa says there needs to be a collaborative approach if women are to excel in any business they venture in.

With a lot of concerns being raised on women empowerment, Vuniwaqa says the support should come from families and especially their spouses.

The Minister says empowering women needs to be more than economics.

“Increasing women economic engagement often increases their work burden on top of all the unpaid labor that we do as women, it can also challenge establish gender roles and power hierarchies causing conflicts in the homes and even domestic violence.”

Vuniwaqa says they will continue to create more awareness and at the same time find avenues to empower women in our communities.

Over 3000 women attended the awards night and Savusavu’s Shalini Lata won the Businesswoman of the Year.