Empowering rural women has been the hallmark of the Foundation for the local Ba-based NGO FRIEND Fiji (Fiji Rural Integrated Enterprises & Development) and last week, it welcomed the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways, and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna, to its Tuvu headquarters for a dual celebration of International Women’s Day and FRIEND’s 25th anniversary of community service.
During the visit, Minister Tunabuna toured the FRIEND Food Production Centre, where he observed rural women demonstrating the sophisticated value-addition and food processing techniques that have become a hallmark of FRIEND’s grassroots economic empowerment initiatives.
“These women are transforming locally grown produce into marketable goods—such as chutneys, pickles, specialised flours, and spices—that provide vital income for rural households,” FRIEND said in a statement.
Minister Tunabuna acknowledged FRIEND’s commitment to improving the lives of Fiji’s most vulnerable communities and said the Ministry will work closely with the NGO to further support rural communities.
“As we mark 25 years of service, seeing the Minister recognise the hard work of these women reinforces our mission,” a FRIEND spokesperson said.
“Our Food Production Centre is more than just a facility; it represents a sustainable pathway for women to lead their communities toward economic independence”.
She said FRIEND will continue to advocate for stronger collaboration between the government, civil society and the private sector to expand these opportunities.
“We remain dedicated to the belief that strengthening women-led enterprises is the key to building a resilient local economy for all of Fiji.”
