Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Rosy Akbar whileThe Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation was today presented with donation of four Mahindra Vehicles, 30 Identification Card Kits, 13 desktop computers and 3 multi-function brother printers. The vehicle and IT equipment were earlier donated to the Fiji Elections Office by the Government of India for the coordination of general elections in 2014.
Present at this event was Honorable Attorney-General and Minister for Finance, Public Enterprises, Public Service and Communications Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and Honorable Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Rosy Akbar. An official agreement signing was held between the Supervisor of Elections, Mr. Mohammed Saneem and the Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Josefa Koroivueta.
Mr Saneem said that event is first step by the Fiji Elections Office in enhancing its support and collaboration with other institutions in Fiji.
“In conducting the 2014 general elections, we have received tremendous support from the government institutions and external partners as well. Whilst today’s program sees the FEO handing over equipment, we are also looking at knowledge sharing and best practices sharing between institutions. I would like to wish the Ministry the very best of luck in the use of the equipment,” Mr Saneem said.
Minister Akbar said the new equipment will help the Ministry to create greater initiatives for the disadvantaged, women and children.
“In consultation with the Minister responsible for Election, I have informed him how pleased the Ministry is with the facilitation of the timely assistance. It came in just the right time after taking office in less than 6 months.
“These resources that have been used to facilitate the 2014 General Elections and now it will still be used for the greater reach to our clientele. It will quicken our response time to social issues in city areas and in informal settlements too.
“I wish to confirm that 2 vehicles will be used by Operation Task Force (Ministry, Fiji Police Force, Local Governments and Ministry of Health and Medical Services) to mount desired responses to the social issues in Suva and Lautoka Cities. Our responses are based on humanistic approach that instills confidence for individuals to become self-reliant,” Mrs Akbar said.
The assistance, she said would boost the Ministry’s morale and in achieving its output.
“The ID Card Kits will be distributed respectively to 16 divisional offices of the Ministry. Before, the processing of Identification Cards was centralized at Head Quarters. Now, with the assistance from the Fiji Elections office, it will enable the Ministry to decentralize its services in the divisions making it convenient for the recipients to have access to services.
“For sure it will impact the Ministry’s vision of “Empowering the Women, Children and the Disadvantaged”. Key to working with our clientele is to bring the services closer to where they live and today’s provision enables us to do that,” Mrs Akbar added.
Minister Akbar also acknowledged the Indian Government for its partnership in areas of women empowerment.
“The Indian Government has been a partner with the Ministry is the following areas; The establishment of the Barefoot College, which is currently being pursued and the training of Fiji’s first solar grandmothers The donation of sewing machines, and the establishment of Ability Shine Centre and National Sewing Centre has created income generating opportunities persons living with disabilities. This is in line with Fiji’s commitment to the National Disability Policy,” Mrs Akbar emphasized.
DEPTFO