Thousands of women market vendors in Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands are growing their economic empowerment opportunities along with their crops.
240414. Photo RNZ. Vanuatu. Port Vila, fruit, market, stall, ni-Vanuatu, Photo: RNZ
The UN Women's Market for Change initiative has helped set up associations for women market vendors in all three countries with Vanuatu the latest to register their Silae Vanua Association.
UN Women's economic empowerment specialist Preeya Leli says the majority of market vendors in Melanesia are women.
She says this makes markets a crucial access point for engagement with women and their livelihood.
"Women have been forthcoming, now they are vocal they know about their rights better. They do know how important is for them to actually be part of the executive committees in these associations. To bring about their needs and their wants and also for their voices to be heard."
