Food safety training empowers women vendors in Labasa

[Press Release]
[For Immediate Release]

Participants of the Food Safety Training proudly display their certificates alongside the Labasa Town Council Health Unit facilitator and UN Women staff. Photo: UN Women/Maryann Lockington

Labasa, Fiji — The Labasa Town Council facilitated a Food Safety Training session for 20 market vendors from July 15 to 16. This initiative was supported by UN Women and UNDP under the Markets for Change (M4C) project to equip Labasa Market Vendor Association (MVA) members with critical skills for safer food handling.

Participants in the training gained valuable knowledge on hygiene standards, safe food handling, and best practices to ensure the quality and safety of their products. Vendors came out of the training better equipped to address the food safety needs of their customers and the communities they serve. They are now also able to reduce food wastage and improve the quality of their products.

UN Women Fiji Representative, Delphine Serumaga, highlighted the significance of the training, stating, “We are not only fostering a safer and healthier market but also unlocking and empowering the economic potential of these women by upskilling them. Women represent a significant majority of workers in the informal sector, particularly as market vendors. Equipping them with the necessary skills ensures their success and, in turn, the prosperity and well-being of their families and communities."

A representative from the Labasa Town Council Health Unit emphasized the collaborative effort, saying, "The partnership between the M4C project with UN Women, UNDP and the Labasa Town Council is essential in promoting food safety. This training not only protects public health but also enhances the credibility and trust in our local markets. Food safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

One of the training participants, Maraia Waqa, expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm, "This training has been incredibly beneficial. I now feel more confident in handling and selling my products, knowing that I am adhering to the highest safety standards. It has truly empowered me to improve my business and better serve my community."

Members of the Labasa MVA also benefitted from a month-long series of trainings facilitated by UNDP through the M4C project. The training covered financial literacy and agriculture topics and was tailored to the specific needs identified through a Vendor Training Needs Assessment.

The M4C project promotes gender equality through the economic empowerment of women market vendors in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. It brings together governments, market vendors and MVAs, civil society organisations, and UN agencies. It is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and the Government of Australia.