Fijian women are set to benefit from a $5million Canadian-funded regional initiative aimed at strengthening women’s livelihoods and leadership in the face of climate change.
The five-year Women POWER: Pacific Oceanic Women Enhancing Resilience project was launched in Suva on Friday by Canadian Secretary of State for International Development, Randeep Sarai, who said women were central to building resilient communities across the Pacific.
“When women and girls have the tools to lead, earn a living and advocate for their rights, families are stronger and communities are better prepared to face challenges,” Mr Sarai said.
He said Canada was proud to support the initiative, describing women’s empowerment as “one of the smartest investments” for inclusive and sustainable development.
The project is expected to support almost 10,000 beneficiaries across Fiji, Kiribati, and Vanuatu, with women making up about 70 per cent of those reached.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said climate change continued to pose the greatest threat to Pacific communities, with women among the most affected.
“Women are central to our fisheries, food security and household resilience, yet climate change increasingly undermines these roles,” Ms Kiran said.
She said data from Fiji’s gender assessments showed women faced greater hardship during disasters, particularly those heading households.
“When Tropical Cyclone Winston struck Fiji, households headed by divorced or widowed women experienced significantly higher poverty rates.”
Ms Kiran said the Women Power project aligned with Fiji’s national gender and climate priorities and would help strengthen women’s leadership and participation in decision-making spaces.
“Women already hold the knowledge, skills and innovative solutions needed to overcome the barriers they face.
“When women are empowered, entire communities benefit.”
She said investing in women was essential to achieving sustainable development and climate resilience in Fiji and across the Pacific.
