Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar says the COVID-19 pandemic has not only shaken the foundation of our health, education and economic systems but we have also faced new challenges that has turned into opportunities for the betterment and advancement for all men, women, youth and children from all walks of life.
While delivering her statement on International Day of Eradication of Poverty, Akbar says the Fijian Government over the years has focused on efforts to improve access to services for all Fijians living in rural and maritime communities.
She says in response to COVID-19, the Government has allocated substantial resources for containment and treatment of the virus while also providing necessary financial support to minimise economic disruptions.
Akbar says this includes measures to boost disposable incomes, assist business cash flows, protect employment and sustain livelihoods for those adversely affected by the crisis.
The Minister further says the Fijian government through its National Development Plan articulates an inclusive socio-economic development approach to further improve the living standards of all Fijians under the umbrella theme of eradicating poverty.
She says this year’s theme is a call to each and every actor in Fiji to work together and nurture relationships with respect for one another, dismantling structures of discrimination the disadvantaged people who are vulnerable to poverty face and building the morale with legal framework of human rights that places human dignity at the heart of policy and action.
This year’s International Day of Eradication of Poverty theme is “Building forward together, ending persistent poverty, respecting all people and our planet”.
Akbar adds they are also acknowledging the work carried out by the development partners, non-state actors, faith-based and civil society organisations who have complemented the governments initiatives to ensure no Fijian is left behind.
