AS the world celebrates International Day of Rural Women, the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council (WEBC) under the umbrella body of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, joins the global call to recognise and honour the vital role of rural women in strengthening communities, driving local economies, and building resilience in the face of challenges.
According to the UN Women, women in Fiji spend substantially more time on unpaid care and domestic work than men, which limits their participation in formal employment and business growth. Between 75 to 90 per cent of micro market vendors in Fiji are women — many from rural and island communities. These women work long hours, often for modest returns, facing high transport costs and limited access to markets and financial opportunities. Yet, they remain the backbone of Fiji’s informal economy and community development.
Through its 2022–2027 Strategic Plan and vision “Women Entrepreneurs Invigorating the Nation,” the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council is committed to creating enabling spaces for women in both the formal and informal sectors. The Council’s outreach program, Bridging the Gap, focuses on empowering non-member women in rural and maritime communities by providing financial literacy, business management, and practical skill training.
Recently, the WEBC extended this initiative to the island of Beqa, where nearly 70 women from the five villages of the Tikina o Sawau — Dakuibeqa, Dakuni, Naceva, Soliyaga, and Naseuseu — participated in a two-day empowerment and skills-building program.
The training included sessions on financial literacy, business basics, and goal setting, complemented by a Talanoa Session on Trauma-Informed Care and Business Decision-Making. The session created a safe and supportive space for women to openly share their challenges and learn ways to strengthen confidence, resilience, and decision-making in business.
Day two focused on social entrepreneurship and upcycling, encouraging women to turn creativity into opportunity through sustainable business ideas such as flower arrangements, event decorations, and tie and dye craft.
The Beqa outreach was supported by Women’s Fund Fiji. As part of the outreach, Value City also donated 10 boxes of books to Sawau District School in Dakuibeqa, which serves 90 students from Kindergarten to Year 8, many of whom are boarders. The donation supports the school’s newly renovated library and promotes literacy among young learners.
Speaking about the initiative, WEBC coordinator Fiona Dansey, said: “Rural women are at the heart of community resilience and economic progress. Through programs like Bridging the Gap, we are not only providing training — we are creating opportunities for women to grow, connect, and lead. Empowering one woman in a village uplifts a whole community.”
As Fiji marks International Day of Rural Women, WEBC celebrates the courage, creativity, and contribution of rural women who continue to build sustainable livelihoods and drive change from the grassroots.
Their efforts remind us that empowering rural women is not just about inclusion — it is about shaping a stronger, more resilient nation.
The session created a safe and supportive space for women to openly share their challenges.
Day two focused on social entrepreneurship and upcycling. Picture: SUPPLIED
As Fiji marks International Day of Rural Women, WEBC celebrates the courage, creativity, and contribution they have made.
Between 75 to 90 per cent of micro market vendors in Fiji are women — many from rural and island communities. Picture: SUPPLIED
