1. MOTURIKI SCHOOL COMPLETES MAKEOVER – Government’s assistance towards the Moturiki District School in the village of Nasauvuki has been welcomed by more than 150 students who study at the school.
2. CHIEF URGES LEADERS TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST VIOLENCE – The paramount chief of Waikalou village in the Naitasiri province Ratu Peceli Roseru Tuisese, has called on community leaders in Fiji to play a proactive role in eliminating violence against women and children.
3. NEW SEWING CENTRE GENERATING INCOME FOR WOMEN – Ten women of Naicabecabe village are now benefiting from a sewing centre built by Government through the Integrated Human Resource Development (IHRDP) program in 2009.
4. NAITASIRI VILLAGE TAKES ON ANTI-VIOLENCE COMMITMENT – Navatukia village in the province of Naitasiri has become the latest addition to Fiji’s “Zero Tolerance Violence Campaign”.
5. LEARN TO START SMALL AND GROW BIG: SANIA – Trainees at the Naqere Youth Training Centre in Savusavu were specifically advised to “start small and grow big in their investment” after completing a six weeks programme in small engine and fibre glass-boat maintenance.
1 MOTURIKI SCHOOL COMPLETES MAKEOVER
Government’s assistance towards the Moturiki District School in the village of Nasauvuki has been welcomed by more than 150 students who study at the school.
An injection of $120,000 worth of assistance includes upgrading classrooms, new infrastructure, as well as upgrading of the boarding facilities at the school.
“A teacher’s quarters was a built in the same year worth $23,000 and repairs were made to their school building worth $28,000,” said the Lomaiviti Provincial administrator Mr Kelepi Kubunameca.
He added that the school was also provided desks, cashiers, computers and a photocopier this year.
“One of the benefits of this assistance is the increase in the school roll which is increasing every year,” he said.
Head teacher for the school Mr Mikaele Nadaku echoed the same statement adding that parental and guardian support has been an influencing factor for the increasing student numbers at the school over recent years.
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2 CHIEF URGES LEADERS TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST VIOLENCE
The paramount chief of Waikalou village in the Naitasiri province Ratu Peceli Roseru Tuisese, has called on community leaders in Fiji to play a proactive role in eliminating violence against women and children.
The Vunivalu of Serea Soloira District made these remarks while recently participating at the official declaration of Waikalou as a violence free community through the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Campaign.
Around 100 people gathered in Waikalou to witness the unveiling of a billboard symbolising the long-term commitment of Waikalou in eliminating violence against women and children. The official unveiling was carried out by the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni.
While explaining about the impacts of the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Campaign, Ratu Tuisese said that there have been significant changes in Waikalou as a result of awareness and training programs.
“The people of Waikalou are very happy with the visit made by the Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni and it is through her Ministry’s continued support that we have made a firm commitment to eliminate violence in our homes and community. In the last few months, the Ministry officials and Police have continued to provide awareness programs on laws protecting women, principles of gender equality and Domestic Violence Decree and Child Welfare Decree.
“We are grateful to Dr Luveni for her continued support in reaching out to our village and many other villages in Fiji through this violence free campaign that continues to inspire communities to unite and to live in peace and harmony with each other,” Ratu Tuisese said.
In her opening address, Minister Luveni emphasised on gender equality and the need for women to be recognised at the district, divisional and national level.
“The campaign is unique as it inculcates a collaborative platform between the stakeholders to work together with the communities in eliminating violence. Through the campaign there is information sharing, and people are also trained on positive parenting, anger management and are also given economic empowerment projects.
“It’s encouraging to see that gatekeeping committees are formed and is led by village leaders, church, women and youth leaders, community police that acts as the eyes and ears of this campaign,” Minister Luveni said.
Waikalou Women’s Group president Mrs Ivamere Tuinasau said that the campaign has given them the confidence to break the silence on violence and to report cases to the police.
“Before, the topic of violence was treated as a private matter but through awareness, but it’s now openly discussed at community meetings which is chaired by the male leaders. The campaign has been an eye opener for men, we can see the difference, the men and boys are now encouraged to share household chores and responsibilities. It’s inspiring to see that respecting women and children has become a prime discussion at prayer meetings as well,” she said.
Currently there are 60 communities that have joined the campaign of which 17 has been declared as violence-free communities in Fiji.
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3 NEW SEWING CENTRE GENERATING INCOME FOR WOMEN
Ten women of Naicabecabe village are now benefiting from a sewing centre built by Government through the Integrated Human Resource Development (IHRDP) program in 2009.
The centre was built at a cost of $45,000 from the IHRDP Program which is administered through the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development.
Naicabecabe Women’s Group secretary Ms Tirisa Vuki said the sale of their sewing items from the centre to the people of Moturiki has been a good source of income not just for their families but for their village as well.
She added that the centre now sews uniforms for students from nearby schools at a much lower price; a move welcomed by communities in the area.
“We sew girls uniform for $8 and boys sulus and shirts for $5 and we also sew adults clothing”.
“We’ve been doing this from 2009 and I must commend Government for assisting us which is in line with eradicating poverty to rural families like ours,” Ms Vuki said.
Lomaiviti provincial administrator Mr Kelepi Kubunameca said Government’s assistance to the village is clearly visible.
“Government also provided for the cement for their seawall project and water tanks so altogether about $67,000 worth of assistance to date has been provided for the village,” Mr Kubunameca said.
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4 NAITASIRI VILLAGE TAKES ON ANTI-VIOLENCE COMMITMENT
Navatukia village in the province of Naitasiri has become the latest addition to Fiji’s “Zero Tolerance Violence Campaign”.
Designed to encourage inclusiveness at all levels in a community to address violence against women and children, the campaign has been implemented in communities across the country.
The campaign was recently launched following the presentation of a certificate recognising the commitment of Navatukia villagers to eliminate violence against women and children. The Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni officiated at the event and commended villagers for supporting the campaign.
Dr Luveni congratulated the Navatukia village leaders and said that the implementation of thiscampaign would provide opportunities for people to work together with relevant stakeholders in promoting a violence free environment.
“When a woman develops, her family and community also progresses. The campaign will promote unity and peace in families, it will ensure there is equality between men and women in terms of decision making and sharing responsibilities.
“This government is working tirelessly in promoting the gender equality and the campaign aims to raise awareness on the need for stakeholders and communities to work hand in hand to eliminate violence. A gatekeepers committee comprising of village leaders, women and youths will be formed, that will work closely with Police and Ministry to facilitate awareness and training programs on addressing violence,” Minister Luveni said.
Navatukia village head Mr Sevanaia Nateilawa welcomed the campaign adding that it would challenge the men to relook at their role as husbands and fathers.
“We are grateful to Dr Jiko Luveni for being the first Minister to come right to our door step and talking to us about the need for equality between women and men. We are appreciative of the message she has imparted today, that women have the equal potential as that of the men to lead a society.
“Most of the men who were present at the meeting, when they heard the Minister’s speech on importance of women’s role, that really challenged them to look within themselves and embrace the truth that without women a society cannot progress. We hope that through this campaign the culture of silence and suffering will be a thing of the past,” Mr Nateilawa explained.
“There are 60 women in Navatukia who struggle daily to support their families, they are all domestic workers and market vendors. Our major challenge is that due to cultural barriers, women have limited opportunities to voice their concerns, when in fact we are the backbone of our families”.
There are 3 villages in Serea Soloira District, in Naitasiri province (Waikalou, Vunidawa and Navatukia) and all these villages have joined the violence free community campaign.
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5 LEARN TO START SMALL AND GROW BIG: SANIA
Trainees at the Naqere Youth Training Centre in Savusavu were specifically advised to “start small and grow big in their investment” after completing a six weeks programme in small engine and fibre glass-boat maintenance.
The advice was recently highlighted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports permanent secretary Mr Joseva Sania to sixteen trainees from throughout the Northern Division while officiating at the certificates presentation ceremony at the training centre.
“I am urging you to use the knowledge and skills you have gained to support yourself, your family and to contribute effectively in your respective communities,” added the Permanent Secretary.
The completion of this training includes the overall completion of the two batches of small engine and fibre-glass training for Naqere Training Centre this year. The trainees also returned home with tool packs for small engine repairs.
The Ministry has been engaging with various centres across the country to provide employment training opportunities for Fiji’s youth. To achieve this, the Ministry has partnered with various government and non government agencies to achieve this.
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