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Women in Fiji have a significantly lower share of formal employment and therefore face a higher risk of poverty says the secretary of the National Council of Women, Fay Volatabu.
Speaking at the 2010 Budget Consultative Forum at the Novotel Convention Centre in Lami yesterday, Volatabu said female workers tend to be concentrated in the low pay end of the labour force.
“Many women work in self-employment and semi-subsistence types of economic activity,” she said.
Volatabu said women face a higher risk of poverty with 44 per cent earning below the poverty line.
“The budget allocation for the Women’s Department has continued to be small in comparison to other departments within the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation,” she added.
According to Volatabu, women, like men, are seeking a more active role in decision-making processes which affect their lives.
“At the same time, I think government recognises that an effective administration requires teamwork, partnership & collaboration,” she said.
The council proposed at the pre-Budget 2010 consultation between the private sector and government, that the government provides adequate resources to the Ministry for Women to mobilise women for economic empowerment and poverty alleviation.
The council also recommended that stakeholders recognise and exploit the comparative strengths of the public sector, private sector and civil society in partnership for economic and social development.
