Fijian women are set to receive significant assistance from a newly launched $5 million initiative funded by Canada, designed to strengthen women’s livelihoods and leadership in the face of climate change. The Women POWER: Pacific Oceanic Women Enhancing Resilience project was unveiled in Suva by Randeep Sarai, Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development. This initiative recognizes and emphasizes the essential role that women play in fostering resilient communities throughout the Pacific region.
During the launch, Sarai emphasized that equipping women and girls with the necessary resources to lead, secure their livelihoods, and advocate for their rights contributes to stronger families and communities more adept at addressing various challenges. He reiterated Canada’s dedication to women’s empowerment as one of the most significant investments in promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
This initiative is projected to directly benefit nearly 10,000 individuals across Fiji, Kiribati, and Vanuatu, with women making up around 70% of the beneficiaries. Sashi Kiran, Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, pointed out that climate change poses a substantial threat to Pacific communities, particularly impacting women.
Kiran highlighted that women are integral to fisheries, food security, and overall household resilience; however, their contributions are severely compromised by climate change. She referred to data from Fiji’s gender assessments, revealing that women, especially those leading households, often endure increased hardships during disasters. For instance, following Tropical Cyclone Winston, poverty rates surged among households led by divorced or widowed women.
The Women POWER project aligns with Fiji’s national strategies on gender and climate, aiming to enhance women’s leadership and involvement in decision-making processes. Kiran asserted that women possess the knowledge, skills, and innovative approaches required to overcome the barriers they face. She believes that empowering women not only benefits individuals but translates to advantages for entire communities, making it vital for advancing sustainable development and climate resilience across Fiji and the wider Pacific region.
This initiative offers a promising outlook, aiming to instigate meaningful change and strengthen community resilience against the challenges posed by climate change, while also elevating women’s status within their societies.