The Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei Cakaudrove (SVTC) has questioned the national budgetary allocation for village leaders which has excluded women’s groups.
Group president Adi Salaseini Fong raised this issue at the Cakaudrove Provincial Council meeting in Savusavu, saying the turaga ni yavusa, turaga ni mataqali and chiefs had been allocated allowances while women’s groups who had also been stalwarts of society had been forgotten.
“Our women reps pay their own fare to visit women in villages and their districts as part of their roles in the soqosoqo (organisation),” Adi Salaseini said.
“Why can’t the iTaukei provincial women’s organisations also have funding allocated?
“Women silently carry their load when attending to their duties in the organisation and we raise funds ourselves to pay for our own expenses.”
When it comes to development projects, Adi Salaseini said women were always at the frontline to contribute their share.
“The provincial soli for Cakaudrove, women have always met their target yet when it comes to the national budget, we are not considered. The Government needs to do something, and I hope in future, they will have some allocation for the women’s organisations in the 14 provinces.”
Council chairman Sirilo Vukica noted the women’s concerns and agreed with other council members to discuss the issue further.
