500 women prepare for divisional craft show in July

Over 500 women will be participating in the divisional craft show to be held in Suva next month.

The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Rosy Akbar says the event provide marketing opportunities for rural women, the best selected products will showcased at the 2015 National Women’s Expo to be held in October from 14^th to 16^th . The Suva Craft Show will be held next month at Civic Centre and it will be officially opened by Minister Akbar.

“Over 500 from the 360 women’s groups have registered for the central division craft show. These are women from Rewa, Tailevu and Naitasiri province and including those from Suva and Nausori corridors.

“They will be showcasing their skills and products made from masi (tapa), voivoi, coconut products, handicrafts, jewelleries, home art decorations, foods items and contemporary crafts to name few. Quality of these products is of essence and the best ones will be identified and tagged with the Fijian-made logo as we build-up towards the National Women’s Expo,” Minister Akbar said.

Some of the other products to be sold at the Craft Show in Suva will be traditional mats vakabati, kuta, fan, baskets, traditional wedding dresses, wall hangings, crochet, embroidery, screen printing items, baskets, tie and dye items, curtains, sarongs, sulu, home-made products pickles, jams and cakes.

Minister Akbar said that similar shows are planned around all the divisions and public is encouraged to come forward and show their support for the empowerment of rural women.

Mrs Mereoni Guivalu, president of Hookers Womens Group said that they are looking forward for the craft show next month.

“There are 15 members in our group that is based in Waila, Nausori and most of these women are domestic workers. We specialize in producing embroidery, table cloths, handicrafts and ladies dresses. We are busy now preparing for the show and our group is determined that our products will be selected for the women’s Expo because we are focusing on quality. We also look forward to also meet with Madam Minister, who is doing a wonderful work for the women of Fiji,” Mrs Guivalu said.

Similarly, Mrs Ram Kumari of Nakasi Hart Women’s Group says the show will enable them to earn money for their families.

‘We have 10 active members in our group who are single mothers and widows. We were assisted by the Ministry through tailoring program and we sew school uniforms, bed sheets, pillow cases, pot holders and cushion covers. We thank the Ministry for giving us the opportunity to come out and showcase our skills and sell our products. Such events also help us to share our skills and network with women from other groups,” Mrs Kumari said.

The dates and venues for the western, eastern and north Divisional Craft Shows 2015 are as follows:

• Thursday 9^thJuly, at Nabouwalu, women from Bua will participate in this show
• Navua Town on Thursday 23^rdJuly will see women from Namosi, Serua, Beqa and Navua participate in this show
• Lautoka Shirley Park on Friday 24^thJuly has been organised for women from Lautoka, Nadi, Tavua, Rakiraki, Sigatoka and Ba.
• 24^thJune in Namacu Village for Koro Island
• 2^ndof July at Nawaikama Village, Sawaieke, Gau Island for the women from Gau, Nairai, Batiki

Press Release