Fiji has more than 50% women market vendors who have been making a significant contribution to the local economy and play a pivotal role in providing services to the local communities.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Industry and Trade Premila Kumar while speaking at the Launch of the UN Women Market for Change Video at USP last night.
Kumar highlighted that this video, the first on the UN Women’s Markets for Change project, is a celebration of the project’s achievements in advancing women’s economic empowerment in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
She says government recognises that women are critical to economic growth and community stability and that women are likely to save and contribute to the broader livelihood of their community.
Kumar also highlighted that UN Women through ‘Markets for Change’, has co‑funded market infrastructure projects across 12 municipal markets in Fiji, three in the Solomon Islands and three in Vanuatu.
She adds that the project’s success lies in the fact that the key drivers of the project are the market vendors themselves and it is encouraging to see women market vendors in Fiji participating in the planning and design process of the markets.
Kumar stressed that this inclusive approach has resulted in improved gender responsive market facilities for everyone adding that this ensures women market vendors have access to improved working environment.
The Minister for Industry and Trade also revealed that government and the Municipal Councils have invested $22.2m into expansion and redevelopment Markets in Nausori, Namaka and Rakiraki and $7m to build a new Laqere Municipal Market that will see the relocation of 50 road side vendors within the Township and accommodate 340 new vendors.
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