SUVA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Fijian Minister for Women said on Tuesday women's opportunities for economic and educational empowerment would continue to be a focal point of the government, as Fijians are marking the Rural Women's Day.
Fiji's Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa, according to a Fijian government press release, spoke at the Rural Women's Day celebrations in Tavua, a town more than 90 km from the nation's third largest city of Nadi, and said the ministry had women empowerment programs that focused mainly on women in rural areas.
"For the economic empowerment of women, the National Women's Expo is a platform that brings together hundreds of women annually to showcase their talents with the artefacts they produce," she said.
"To mitigate climate-related issues, the ministry works in collaboration with foreign governments for the construction of institutions like the Barefoot College that will see the training of more rural women as solar engineers for the use of alternative energy."
Vuniwaqa also highlighted the implications of climate change on people's well-being and livelihoods.
"The impacts of climate change, including access to productive and natural resources, amplify existing gender inequalities in rural areas. Climate change affects women's and men's assets and well-being differently, in terms of agricultural production, food security, health, water and energy resources, climate-induced migration and conflict, and climate-related issues."
With 49 percent of female population among around 900,000 Fijians, Vuniwaqa said it's critical that the needs, perspectives, and ideas of women, as well as of men, are included in climate actions so as to create just, effective and sustainable solutions.
