Minister for Women and Children Mereseini Vuniwaqa says Fiji is more stable, prosperous and secure when women and girls are given equal opportunities to participate in all spheres of society.
During a talanoa session with the people of Karoko in Rabi, Vuniwaqa says there is evidence demonstrating the importance of women’s participation in the market as smallholder farmers, employees, owners of enterprises and clients of financial institutions.
The government has supported initiatives and programmes to tackle gender-based violence and encourage women’s economic empowerment.
President of Karoko Women’s Group, Lisi Kovenikabuta says there are about 30 members in the group and their main source of income are ‘masi making’, mat weaving and currently reliant on ocean resources.
