Women groups strengthened through Gov4Res Project

Written by: Litiana Dimaopa & Paradise Tabucala

For generations, the women of the villages of Naiviqiri, Naivaka, Galoa and Yaqaga, in Bua, have depended on the sea for the livelihood of their families.  A successful day of fishing meant a plentiful catch to sell, but it also came with a challenge. Without access to cold storage, fish and seafood had to be sold quickly or eaten on the same day before they spoil.

Today, that challenge is becoming a thing of the past. From 23–26 June 2026, four new solar-powered freezers were installed, each housed inside a risk-informed disaster-resilient shelter. These shelters, designed and built with community input, ensure that surplus seafood can be stored safely and sold when markets are accessible.  

The women’s clubs of all four villages spearheaded the fundraising for the shelters which were constructed by each of the communities. By the time the Dawn Renewable Energy technical team came to install the systems, the shelters were completed.

Alongside installation, 120 participants with 74 female, 46 male, 31 youths and 2 persons with disabilities took part in training sessions that covered the basic use of the freezer, proper maintenance and safe handling of the solar system. The sessions emphasized the steps to be taken as well as the precautions, to ensure longevity and resilience.

“Fishing has always been our main source of income, but travelling to Nakadrudru to sell our catch took time and money, and we often had to sell quickly rather than for a good price because we feared the fish would spoil. We’ve waited so long for a solution, and now we cannot contain our joy — with our newly installed solar-powered freezer, we can safely store our catch, sell it wisely, and improve the livelihoods of our families.” — ArietaLeader of the Women’s Group, Yaqaga Village

The successful implementation of the project was made possible through the collaboration and strong partnerships between all four communities, Live and Learn Fiji,  Dawn Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management – PA Bua’s Office, ADO Lekutu’s Office, and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs through the Roko Tui Bua’s Office.

The Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific (Gov4Res) Small Grants Initiative (SGI) is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT),  Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and  the UK  Department of International Development (UKAID).