(L to R) Mrs Alililaite Makara, president of Nadelei women’s group and minister Jiko Luveni.
The Ministry of Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation has engaged a consultant to assist in the organisation of the inaugural National Women’s Expo – Rural Designer Awards 2014.
Minister for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni signed a consultancy agreement and presented a cheque to event organizer, Inoke Bainimarama in Suva this week.
Dr Luveni said over 3000 women will gather for the first Women’s Expo in Fiji and preparations are well underway.
“Women’s groups and organisations are already liaising with their nearest women’s office to lodge their names and there will be over 30 booths at the expo. Women’s groups will also have the opportunity to display and sell their products,” Dr Luveni said.
Dr Luveni said seminars will also be held for women’s groups and other participants during the three-day event.
“The ministry will also organize leadership and economic empowerment training workshops for the women. For the first time ever, we will train 230 Marama ni Yavusa on leadership skills along with empowerment activities and capacity building workshops,” Dr Luveni added.
Mr Bainimarama said the Women’s Expo is a platform for rural and urban women to network and share their ideas and experiences.
“This is going to be a very big event and I am excited to be part of it. It will need a lot of planning because we are looking at accommodation of women’s groups as well. All in all, we are progressing well with the preparations,” Mr Bainimarama said.
The Department of Women has an estimated budgetary allocation of $354,000 for the much awaited forum, which will be held at the Vodafone Arena from 6th to 8th August, 2014.
MINFO