On this International Day of Rural Women, the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council (WEBC) in Fiji is taking a moment to honor the vital roles that women in rural areas play in enhancing community resilience and driving economic growth. The council, which operates under the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, underscores the essential need to recognize and elevate the contributions of these women, who often face substantial hurdles while working tirelessly for the betterment of their communities.
In Fiji, women are disproportionately burdened with unpaid care and household duties compared to men, which significantly limits their participation in the formal job market. An impressive 75 to 90 percent of micro vendors in the country are women, many of whom hail from rural and island backgrounds. These women often work diligently within informal sectors, encountering challenges such as high transportation costs, limited access to markets, and inadequate financial resources. Despite these barriers, they constitute a vital part of Fiji’s economic landscape.
To address these challenges, the WEBC has implemented a forward-thinking 2022-2027 Strategic Plan titled “Women Entrepreneurs Invigorating the Nation.” This plan focuses on creating nurturing environments for female entrepreneurs across diverse sectors, embracing both formal and informal markets. One significant initiative, called “Bridging the Gap,” aims to empower women who are not yet affiliated with the council by providing them with essential skills in financial literacy and business management, particularly targeting rural and maritime communities.
Recently, the WEBC expanded its outreach to Beqa Island, where around 70 women from five villages participated in a comprehensive two-day training program concentrated on empowerment and skills development. This program included workshops on financial literacy, business fundamentals, and goal setting, alongside a critical Talanoa session dedicated to trauma-informed care and informed business decision-making. Such an inclusive framework encouraged women to share personal challenges, fostering important conversations about resilience and self-assurance.
Day two of the workshop shifted focus to social entrepreneurship and innovative upcycling techniques, inspiring participants to leverage their creative skills into lucrative ventures with sustainable concepts like flower arrangements and event decorations.
The outreach initiative gained support from Women’s Fund Fiji and included a generous donation from Value City, which provided 10 boxes of books to the Sawau District School in Dakuibeqa. This charitable act not only enhances the school’s newly renovated library but also helps instill a love of learning among students.
Fiona Dansey, the WEBC coordinator, emphasized the initiative’s importance, stating, “Rural women are at the heart of community resilience and economic progress. By empowering one woman in a village, we uplift entire communities.”
As the world acknowledges International Day of Rural Women, the WEBC celebrates the creativity, courage, and commitment of these women dedicated to building sustainable livelihoods and fostering community development. Their continued resilience serves as a powerful reminder that empowering rural women is not merely about inclusion; it is a catalyst for transformative change within communities and a crucial element in strengthening the nation’s future.