Three women's groups in Fiji have received sewing machines and cooking pots through a partnership between the Fijian Government and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to support income-generating work.
Delivered by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection and KOICA, the equipment was handed over through the Government's Women Economic Empowerment Project.
The support is linked to the Digital Capacity Building Project for Enhancing Socio-Economic Participation of Women in Fiji.
Beneficiary groups included the Shree Santan Dharm Women's Group, Vadrakula Women's Club and Navaka Women's Club.
The equipment is intended to support small business activities and help women strengthen entrepreneurial skills within their communities.
Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, Selina Kuruleca, said the equipment would help women strengthen long-term economic independence.
"This is what true economic empowerment looks like," she said.
"These resources will enable women to build businesses, generate income, create opportunities, and continue adding value long after the initial support has been provided."
The project is aimed at helping women establish, expand and sustain small business ventures in their communities.
It also supports the Fijian Government's work to increase women's participation in the economy through practical resources for enterprise development.
Ms Kuruleca said the ministry was focusing on projects which created sustainable income opportunities, rather than short-term assistance.
The work aligns with the National Action Plan on Women's Economic Empowerment, which focuses on economic resilience and financial independence for women.
The handover also reflects wider efforts to support women's groups with resources that can be used for ongoing community-based enterprise.
Ms Kuruleca said supporting women's businesses had wider benefits for families and communities.
"When women are economically empowered, households become more resilient, communities become stronger, and our nation prospers," she said.
"These investments provide opportunities for women to grow their enterprises and create sustainable livelihoods for future generations."
KOICA Fiji Office Country Director, Hankyulsam Cho, attended the handover ceremony alongside Ms Kuruleca and KOICA Fiji Office Deputy Country Director, Seoyeun Bang.
Ms Cho said the handover reflected KOICA's continued support for women's economic participation in Fiji.
"We hope this support will help women expand their income-generating opportunities and achieve greater economic independence," she said.
Ms Cho encouraged the beneficiary groups to make full use of the equipment.
"Through these resources, women will be better positioned to strengthen their businesses, support their families, and contribute to the development of their communities," Ms Cho said.
The partnership forms part of wider work to promote gender equality, women's economic participation and inclusive development in Fiji.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection acknowledged KOICA and the Government of the Republic of Korea for their support.
