Women in Kavala, Kadavu, are voicing their frustrations regarding the lengthy and challenging process of acquiring business licenses, a situation they say significantly hampers their ability to earn a living. Local residents have reported that the application process often exceeds a month and necessitates travel to Suva for documentation and confirmation, a daunting task for many.
For numerous families in Kadavu, selling produce and handicrafts at the local port is a vital income source. Kavala resident Losena Vunivalu expressed concerns over the legality of their operations without the required licenses, stating that this results in missed earnings and uncertainty for their families. “We are just trying to earn an honest living, but the process makes it very hard for us. Sometimes we wait for weeks or have to travel far just to get one license, and during that time we cannot sell. If the services could come closer to us, it would really help our families,” she stated.
Vunivalu also highlighted the financial strain caused by travel costs, accommodation, and the time lost away from home, all of which further burden women entrepreneurs who are trying to sustain their livelihoods.
In a bid to tackle these issues, women in Kavala have banded together to form organized groups, which aim to seek collective support and raise awareness of their situation during rural development consultations. Their goal is to encourage authorities to consider creating decentralized services or expediting the processing of business licenses, thereby providing better support for rural women embarking on entrepreneurial endeavors. This grassroots initiative underscores the determination of women in the region to not only fight for their rights but also to foster economic growth within their community.