WOMEN artisans across Fiji may soon have a permanent place to sell their handmade products after years of struggling with limited market access.
The Ministry of Woman, Children and Social Protection is working on a plan to create a marketplace where women can sell their products throughout the year.
Minister Sashi Kiran said many women, particularly from the Northern Division, raised their concerns about the challenges they faced when attending annual expos.
“When I first came into the ministry, during the last expo, a number of women, especially women from Bua, told me about the many challenges they faced,” she said.
Many women travelled long distances and spent money transporting goods, only to return home with unsold products.
“You bring products to the expo, and sometimes you have to take them back because they do not sell. That means your costs are not covered.”
She said the ministry was trialling ways to establish a central market place where women’s products could be sold year-round.
Under the proposal, women, who meet product quality standards, can receive payment immediately when their goods are accepted.
“If the products meet the standards, they are polished, neatly finished and properly packaged, we want to develop a system where you bring your product and receive your money up front.”
She said the initiative aimed at building a consistent market for traditional crafts produced by women across Fiji.
