The Minister for Women, Sashi Kiran, highlighted the critical need to enhance market access for women in rural and remote areas, emphasizing its significance for economic growth and climate resilience. Her comments were made during the launch of the Pacific Women Entrepreneurs as Island Guardians (Pasifika WE-Guardians) Project in Nadi last week, where she reaffirmed the government’s dedication to this initiative.
Kiran outlined the development of a National Action Plan for Women’s Economic Empowerment, which aims to improve value chains, promote digital inclusion, support ethical and sustainable branding, and engage with the private sector to foster women-led businesses. This strategic approach reflects a broader commitment to economic progress for women in the Pacific region.
During the event, attendees had the chance to visit South Sea Orchids, witnessing the positive impact of small, targeted investments from the Innovation Fund. Kiran explained how these initiatives are designed to enhance climate-resilient production, reduce losses, and increase women’s participation across value chains.
She praised regional cooperation, saying, “Fiji, Samoa, and Tuvalu share common challenges, but also shared strengths.” Kiran believes that collaborative efforts can elevate the voices of Pacific women, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote effective, scalable women-centered solutions in the region.
In her remarks, the Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that rural women, women with disabilities, young women, and individuals from marginalized backgrounds are included in these initiatives. She emphasized that climate action must be inclusive, culturally sensitive, and intergenerational to foster genuine transformation.
The Pacific Women Entrepreneurs as Island Guardians project represents a significant investment of $12.7 million from Global Affairs Canada and is being executed by Alinea International in partnership with women-led enterprises in Fiji, Samoa, and Tuvalu. This collaborative endeavor seeks to empower women, enhancing resilience and growth throughout the region and marking a hopeful step toward a more equitable future for all women in the Pacific.