J1087N Empowerment Means Hope Fiji

The Situation 

The majority of women are marginalised and living below the poverty line in Fiji. In a 2024 address, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka exhorted that women’s empowerment is a challenge that requires urgent attention to achieve a vision for a secure, peaceful, prosperous and stable Fiji. He referred to a study by Professor Wadan Narsey on the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement that reported despite the phenomenal increase in the number of educated females over the decade, women are over-represented in low-income occupations and very few have reached managerial level. They face barriers to fully participating in the labour force to access equal pay and economic activities. 

The Objectives 

The ‘Empowerment Means Hope Fiji’ project aims to deliver empowerment training programs through collaboration with the government and community participation. The goal is to equip women with essential skills and knowledge for meaningful employment or entrepreneurship. Participants will have the opportunity to explore new technologies and adapt to the evolving digital landscape, fostering self-awareness, reducing social isolation, and cultivating a sense of belonging. The programs are offered four times a year, with 80-100 women from marginalised backgrounds participating in various areas, including: 



• Soft skills training ‘Confident Woman’ program. 
• Craft skills training. 
• Business training. 
• Community workshop program. 

Through these initiatives, J1087N enhances the confidence and leadership abilities of women in Fiji. It also improves decision-making skills, family values, and parenting knowledge, ultimately leading to income generation and financial security.