The focus for the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation this year in relation to the economic empowerment of women is to continue to drive women into production of export oriented items that comes with outstanding quality and consistency of supply.
This was highlighted by the Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa while on her official visit to women groups in the Yasawa Islands yesterday.
She visited the Navotua Women's Centre in Navotua village where she had witnessed the women producing Virgin Coconut Oil, Banana, Breadfruit and Vudi Chips, Noni Drinks, Diswashing Paste and Soap.
Vuniwaqa says the second important focus is on finding a sustainable market for these products.
She says that these projects provide the women with a chance to improve and increase their production and get far more out of what they usually produce.
Vuniwaqa also acknowledged the support shown by the men and the community members towards these income generating projects and stressed that this support for the women will help develop the livelihoods of their families and community at large.
The President of the Navotua Womens Group, Laite Momoivalu says that in reality, their products are highly demanded for by the nearby hotels, villages and a few markets around Fiji and they are working hard to meet the market demand.
She says that the group consists of 24 strong and dedicated women and they are working closely with some NGO's on constructing and establishing a village women centre.
