The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is working with foreign governments for the construction of the Barefoot College in the North that will see the training of more rural women as solar engineers for the use of alternative energy.
This has been highlighted by the Minister of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa at the Rural Women’s Day celebrations in Tavua.
Vuniwaqa says this is to include women in the fight against climate change.
She says her ministry is currently focusing on women empowerment programs which at this stage focuses mainly on women in rural areas.
Climate change affects women’s and men’s assets and well-being differently in terms of agricultural production, food security, health, water and energy resources, climate-induced migration and conflict, and climate-related issue.
The Minister says with 51 percent of humanity and 49 percent of the Fijian population comprised of women and girls, it is critical that the needs, perspectives, and ideas of women are included in climate action so as to create just, effective, and sustainable solutions.
