Market

The new structure is a great example of the partnership between the Government of Fiji, and the Australian Government through the Markets for Change project implemented by UN Women. The new market is Category 5 cyclone-resilient and includes a 30-bed accommodation centre for rural women vendors to stay overnight, improving their personal security and the safety of their produce.

Sunila Wati, 56, one of the Rakiraki Market Vendors Association members who celebrated the officially opening of the market

The new Rakiraki market demonstrates the Governments of Fiji and Australia’s commitment to rebuilding after the devastation caused by TC Winston. In 2016, the people of Rakiraki were left without a market to sell their produce and rural women were left without an accommodation centre when the entire market was destroyed. Rakiraki now has a state-of-the-art municipal market together with the rural women’s accommodation center and a resource/training center. The new Rakiraki market is also accessible to people with disabilities.

The new market is significantly larger, with 360 blocks than the previous market, accommodating more vendors. The Government of Australia, through the UN Women’s Markets for Change Project, invested FJ$3.2 million into this development complementing the Government of Fiji’s investment of FJ$3.1 million. The completion of the new market is a critical step towards stimulating increased economic opportunities in Rakiraki, benefitting all vendors, their families and contributing to rural livelihoods.

Sunila Wati, 56, one of the Rakiraki Market Vendors Association members who celebrated the officially opening of the marketWith women comprising 75 to 90 per cent of market vendors in the Pacific, their voices are critical in infrastructure development. Members of the Rakiraki Market Vendors Association (RMVA) were consulted throughout the design phase of the market. As a result, the market has enhanced amenities, including a market management office, improved water and sanitation and better lighting.

“Markets for Change has empowered women vendors, through the establishment of Market Vendor Associations, to influence and contribute to the design and planning of the new Rakiraki market,” Varanisese Maisamoa, a former President of RMVA said. “As a result, we have a market that is much more suitable to our needs, and the needs of the community. It is accessible for people with disabilities, larger, safer and has a larger number of toilets. We could not be happier – this is going to make a big difference to us.”

UN Women’s M4C Project is a multi-year, multi-country initiative that aims to have marketplaces in rural and urban areas of Fiji, that are safe, inclusive and non-discriminatory, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.