The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation has organised a public consultations for the western division, next week.
The consultation will be chaired by the Hon. Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Rosy Akbar who will be accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Dr Josefa Koroivueta.
On Tuesday 13th January, the public consultations in Sigatoka was held at Saint Joan of Arc Parish Hall from 10am to 3pm. Likewise, on Wednesday 14th January, the Nadi public consultations was also held at Nadi Civic Centre from 9am to 2pm.
Minister Akbar has urged those living in Sigatoka and Nadi to make good use of this opportunity and access the assistance given by the Ministry.
“Through these consultations, people can access information on Ministry’s programs on social welfare, women empowerment and child protection. Consultations is one of the recent strategies used by the Ministry to raise awareness on its programs and ensure effective and efficient service deliverables.
“Through these consultations, the Ministry has been able to fast track the pending social welfare cases, identify new cases and also address issues concerning the welfare of women and children. Those who attend these consultations are also well informed about the eligibility criteria for the Ministry’s programs and they are also able to lodge in their application at these consultations,” Mrs Akbar said.
To date the Ministry has successfully conducted consultations in Labasa, Korovou, Navua, Lautoka and Naitasiri. The Ministry has also developed a schedule for all the upcoming public consultations that would be held around Fiji.
“The three days consultations in Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki will be held from Wednesday 21st January to Friday 23rd. The venues for these consultations will be confirmed next week and we will also move to northern division. Plans are place to hold public consultations in Nabouwalu, Savusavu and Taveuni. In February, similar plans are being devised for eastern division,” Minister Akbar said.
The programs for the Ministry in 2015 are as follows and more information on these programs is largely disseminated at the public consultations. Each of these programs has its specific budgetary allocation.
Poverty Alleviation and Children’s Program:
· Poverty Benefit Scheme (PBS)
· Care and Protection Program (C&P)
· Social Pension Scheme (SPS)
· Expanded Food Voucher for pregnant mothers in rural areas
· Welfare Graduation Program
· Bus Fare Subsidy
· Fire Victim Relief Assistance
Women Empowerment
· Formal Sector and Employment Livelihood Projects
· Elimination of Violence against Women and Children
· Women and Law
· Equal Participation of Women into Decision Making
· Access to Services
· National Gender Policy
· Fiji’s National Women’s Expo 2015
· Programs coordinated by Fiji Women’s Federation
DEPTFO