OUR WORK IN FIJI
Quick facts
- 16 million people
- 1.4% living on less than USD $1.90 / day
- 64.1% of women have experienced intimate partner violence
Fiji is one of the most developed economies in the Pacific. However political instability and multiple coups over the last few decades in Fiji has resulted in economic difficulties and a majority of the population are engaged in subsistence agriculture. Discrimination and violence against women and marginalised populations such as LGBTQI is also widespread.
Oxfam supports the economic empowerment of women, youth and LGBTQI people in Fiji by generating sustainable livelihood opportunities and more equitable access to resources.
Key areas of work
Gender, Livelihoods, Governance and Social Accountability, Climate Change
One story of change
In collaboration with local NGO partners, Oxfam is supporting women, young people and people from the LGBTQI+ community by creating more inclusive social and economic opportunities for vulnerable individuals. The first year of the program has focused on laying a solid foundation for the effective delivery of projects, and the steady achievement of our long-term development goals.
We know that lasting change takes time and sustained effort. But we can proudly report that our work in Fiji is already having a positive impact on the ground. We are actively building mentoring networks, connecting women from all parts of the community, and creating opportunities for local women to develop skills and improve their economic position.
During the program design phase, we identified economic empowerment and independence as an effective antidote for the inequality and violence that Fijian women have long endured. That’s why we have already engaged at least 263 women in a range of training and workshops to improve their financial literacy and income-generating capability. For instance, we‘ve trained over 60 women in vanilla bean cultivation, which is empowering women to earn a sustainable income and gain economic independence.
Key projects
Shifting Power Shifting Voice in Fiji
Oxfam Australia is supporting inclusive socio-economic development of women and sexual and gender minorities in Fiji through strengthening their agency and voice; research for evidence-based interventions; addressing gender and social norms; and coalition-building, networking and influencing. This three year project (2018-2021) is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
Economic Empowerment of Women and the LGBTQI community in Fiji
Oxfam Australia has been working in Fiji to respond to the growing economic inequality amongst a range of vulnerable populations in Fiji. In collaboration with local NGO partners Oxfam Australia is supporting women, young people and LGBTQI peoples to understand the structures in Fiji that influence decision making and allocation of resources. The project provides skills building and mentorship to the target populations and supports access to value chains and markets. A key component of the project is to explore and address socio-cultural factors within the targeted communities that are both barriers and enablers of change to economic empowerment. This five-year project (2017-22) is supported by the Barlow Foundation.
Pacific Climate Change Collaboration, Influencing and Learning
Oxfam Australia is working to strengthen the influencing capacity of Pacific climate change networks to ensure that action on climate change in the Pacific region and globally is more effective, inclusive and collaborative. This four-year project (2018-2022) is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We know the best way to fight poverty and injustice is to help people help themselves. Change the lives of vulnerable communities in Fiji and around the world today.
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