Informal waste pickers need to be protected - Dr Reddy

Informal waste pickers need to be protected when they undertake the work of protecting the nature and community leaders should respect these guardians who are ensuring that Fiji, in future has the same, if not, better quality of environment.

This has been highlighted by the Minister for Environment, Doctor Mahendra Reddy during the graduation of 16 informal waste pickers from the Gender, Human Rights and Violence against Women training done by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre.

Dr Reddy says the workshop was aimed to bring a sense of empowerment to the women who are involved in protecting the environment and in saying no to those who are trying to tinkle with the balance with the environment.

He further says the workshop also aims to address different forms of abuse, discrimination, name calling they have to face when undertaking the work to protect the nature.

He further says waste pickers have a vision and understand what the Ministry preaches about sustainable future and leaving the current stock of nature at least in the form it was handed to us by our forefathers.

Dr Reddy adds women have shown natural leadership in homes but they now want to recognize their role in environment protection as environmental guardians.