Fiji and the Pacific are ready for a regional development reset that includes women more fully in trade, agriculture and industrial policies.
This was highlighted by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in his address at the first Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders meeting.
Bainimarama says that it should go without saying that without the full inclusion of women in decision making roles, the Pacific will have zero hope of achieving effective, practical solutions to tackle 21st century challenges that maybe faced.
He says the Pacific can only achieve more sustainable solutions for our people if men and women work together as equals.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar who chaired the meeting highlighted that the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative reports that the Pacific women hold 31% of CEO positions compared to the global average of 4.4%.
However, Akbar says much remains to be done in the areas of access to finance for trade, including using online platforms to market and promote their businesses and products.
She says everyone knows there needs to be greater recognition and support to women and girls, in all their diversity, and this meeting will provide a platform for strengthened political voice and collective action on women and girls’ issues in the region.
