The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa says in Fiji, 63% of health workers, 80% of social workers and 85% of market vendors are women.
She says the COVID-19 situation has highlighted the centrality of the role of women in holding our societies together as they carry out their diverse responsibilities; be it at home, hospitals, laboratories, quarantine hotels, schools and markets, or in caring for the elderly, those living with disabilities and children.
While speaking at the National Action Plan consultation organised by DIVA for Equality at Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka, Vuniwaqa says for many Fijian families, life has not been the same since 2020 – they no longer have the same regular income they used to have; their plans for the future is in jeopardy, their plans for their children’s education have had to change, some families no longer have a roof over their heads, some opted to move towards sustainable farming for food sources but even their crops have been destroyed in the floods and cyclones, savings have been used up as they restart again and again, and the emotional toll on those affected has obviously intensified.
Vuniwaqa says today she wishes to especially acknowledge Dr. Aalisha Sahukhan, the Head of Health Protection at the Ministry of Health, the DISMAC Director Vasiti Soko, the hundreds of nurses, doctors, policewomen, military women, and other women who have worked tirelessly for our country and to keep our families safe.
She says she salute’s these women, they have inspired them to be fighters and to be strong no matter how difficult life gets.
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