Remarks by the UN Women Pacific Regional Programme Director, Ms Elzira Sagynbaeva at the welcome ceremony for Barefoot College trained grandmothers at the Suva Civic Centre on Monday, 17 September, 2012

The Ministry for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Jiko Luveni, Cabinet Ministers, His Excellency the Indian High Commissioner, Your Execellencies, the Members of the Diplomatic Corp, Permanent Secratary for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, Mr Govind Sami, Representatives of Barefoot College, Solar Engineers from Barefoot College, Distiguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am pleased to be here and be part of this important milestone for women's empowerment in Fiji. This occasion is particularly important for us as it positively demonstrates that rural women from remote villages, who after certain age are often forgotten by the society, are great assets for development and progress.

Yes, women are powerful change agents. Not only in Fiji but the world over, rural grandmothers and so called 'illiterates' have always been the SILENT beneficiaries of development interventions.

However, today we are challenging such stereotypes.

Partnership

As part of this global initiative, UN Women wishes to acknowledge the partnerships and invaluable contribution of Barefoot College for givingacknowledgement to the fact that there is no barrier to learning and acquiring new technical skills.

The support of the Government of India through its ITECH programme, which enabled these women to travel to India and study at Barefoot, and most importantly, the Government of Fiji through the Ministry of Social Women & Poverty & Alleviation, which fully embraced the idea when we first approached last year

I also acknowledge the participation of the NGO partner in Fiji - a Locally Managed Marine Areas (FLMMA), which assisted in identifying the communitites. It would be remiss of me not to mention the commitment and support of your individual families when you left at the begining of that six months journey.

Global Context

Womens empowerment and gender equality is a priority. At Rio+20, world leaders recognized that gender equality and the effective particiaption of women are important for effective action on all aspects of sustainable development.

Barefoot College is one unique institutionwhich recognises the untapped potential of those usually 'marginalised' and giving these women a stronger role in their communities. Barefoot has trained so called illiterate grandmothers from African and some Asian countries.

Communities have been transformed through this solar lighting programme. Most fundamentally, the projects have managed to ease pressure on deforestation and decrease air polution from burning firewood and kerosene.

Other positive implications include soscio economic empowerment where women and men are now able to work on income generating activities after dark.

In Ghana solar energy has been providing technical lighting for two food processing plants into the night.

In Rwanda and Ethiopia, women increased craft making and production with resultant increase in incomes.

In some countries, there has been notable reduction in maternal mortality, improved access to primary health care reduction in school dropouts through provision of night classes for school children.

I am optimistic that here in Fiji and the Pacific you will have your own stories to tell and UN Women is pleased to be part of those stories and your pursuits for gender inclusiveness and sustainable livelihoods.

Barefoot College Graduates, Solar Engineers:

Congratulations for your efforts and your perseverance being away from home and your loved ones for 6 months and I understand this is the first times for some of you.

I believe the skills you have acquired will change your lives, your families and trasform your communities, thus contributing to the growth and progress of the country.

You are testament that rural women/grandmothers who are usually left out in development agendas are a major social capital that had been untapped.

As qualified Solar Energy 'Naus' (Mamas), you are now equipped to be great agents of change. You are now able to direct and teach others how to install and maintain solar energy equipment and other important things you have learnt at Barefoot College.

UN Women is priviledged to have been part of your development and that of your community. I hope you will have a good break with your loved ones awaiting the arrival of the equipment and the eventual installation in the next few months.

Conclusion

The graduates have clearly demonstrated that involving women is integral to development.

With the experience and success stories from beneficiaries of solar lighting and the potential for its development in Fiji, UN Women will continue to support and expand this programme thus contribution to provide solar lighting to the 20% of the communities that are still without electricity.

On that note, UN Women together with development partners will expand this programme to other Pacific Island countries where women will help light up their families and communities.

For without the active particpation of women achieving sustainable development is not possible

Thank You!