The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection is working in collaboration with other government agencies to launch a project called Community-Based Restoration of Cyclone Affected Vulnerable Mangrove Forests Through the Empowerment of Coastal Communities and Women in Rewa.
Under the guidance of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the project will be funded by the Japanese government and implemented in six identified coastal communities.
The six villages include Narocake and Muana-i-ra villages in the Rewa Province, Natila Village, Waicoka Village, Naivakacau and Nasilai villages in Tailevu.
The focus of the initiative is to support and promote women’s economic empowerment while encouraging a gendered approach in climate change and disaster risk reduction initiatives within.
Women will be engaged to take the lead role in the implementation of the project, whereby activities will include the cultivation of quality seedlings of indigenous mangroves and other species, establishment of energy forests and the provision of fuel-saving cook stoves to reduce communities over dependence on their mangrove resources.
The Department for Women has in the past assisted the women’s groups in the targeted village communities to establish income-generating projects through the provision of sewing machines, screen printing materials, and relevant skills training to empower the women to improve their livelihoods.
