A woven mat represents hours of skilled work and knowledge passed through generations. Yet making it is only one part of earning an income. Materials must be purchased, transport arranged, prices calculated and buyers found.
For rural women, the distance between producing something valuable and building a sustainable business can be considerable.
The women of Udu experienced what can happen when this gap is reduced. Following business training, the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council facilitated their participation in a market day in Suva, including assistance with travel. The initiative proved successful, with all participants reporting that they sold everything they brought.
On International Day of Rural Women, we recognise women-led enterprises operating throughout Fiji’s rural and maritime communities.
WEBC, a council of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, works to bridge gaps, create opportunities, mobilise support and strengthen the environment for women entrepreneurs and leaders.
Through its Bridging the Gap initiative, WEBC has taken practical business learning into communities in Vunisinu in Rewa, Nukudamu on the Udu Peninsula and Beqa.
In Beqa, women from five villages in Tikina o Sawau participated in a programme supported by Women’s Fund Fiji. Sessions covered financial literacy, business fundamentals and goal setting, alongside activities in upcycling, flower arranging, event decoration and handicrafts. Health and wellness were also included because a sustainable enterprise depends on the wellbeing of the woman behind it.
Many participants already have years of experience producing and selling goods. WEBC’s training builds on that experience by providing practical tools for costing products, setting prices, recording expenses and managing earnings.
Setting aside a portion of each sale can create a reserve for quieter periods, future materials or business growth. These practices strengthen women’s ability to make informed decisions, reinvest in their enterprises and plan for the future.
As a council focused on women in business and leadership, WEBC creates opportunities for information sharing, capability development, connection and networking.
This work is strengthened through initiatives such as WEBC’s Business Start-up Toolkit, which makes information about registration and compliance easier to understand. As a new signatory to Fiji’s WE Finance Code, WEBC contributes its experience to improve access to finance and create a more supportive environment for women entrepreneurs.
WEBC acknowledges its members, FCEF, funders, community groups, training partners, volunteers and supporting organisations for helping take these opportunities into communities.
When rural women have the knowledge, connections and support to grow their enterprises, the benefits extend to their families, communities and the wider economy.
Sessions covered financial literacy, business fundamentals and goal setting, alongside activities in
upcycling, flower arranging, event decoration and handicrafts.
On International Day of Rural Women, we recognise women-led enterprises operating throughout Fiji’s rural
and maritime communities.
