Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694871966490.pdf (Fiji)
Annual Report 2015 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation STR ATEGIC DIREC TIO N VISION STATEMENT Empowering the Disadvantaged and Women MISSION STATEMENT Families and Communities supported through Social Welfare Initiatives and Gender Mainstreaming Programme VALUES We will foster an organization culture that values: Human Dignity We respect the dignity of all we serve.

Commitment to Excellence We will pursue to provide excellent service.
Integrity We are committed to conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with the highest standard of integrity.

Customers Efficient and effective customer service and satisfaction.
2 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Minister’s Foreword Permanent Secretary’s Remarks Core Functions of the Ministry Organization Chart Executive Support Unit Department of Social Welfare Department of Women Poverty Monitoring Unit Corporate Services Department Financial Statements and Reports Acronyms 5 6 7 8 10 13 22 29 32 34 44 2 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 3 In this Section: ▶ Minister’s Foreword ▶ Permanent Secretary’s Remarks ▶ Core Functions of the Ministry ▶ Organization Chart 4 Hon.
Rosy Sofia Akbar with Minister for Women and Child Protection (Indonesia), Hon.

Dr. Yohana Susana Yambese M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 5 MINISTER’S FOrEwOrd 2015 was a year of great achievements with inclusion of new programmes and initiatives.
With Government’s vision of Self-reliance and commitment towards Reducing Poverty to a Negligible Level, the Poverty Monitoring Unit was transferred from the Office of the Prime Minister to the Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation where the Unit was initially established in 2003.
The Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion (REACH) for Rural and Urban Fijians is a new initiative undertaken by the Ministry, sponsored by the Government of Japan with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

This is an initiative to reach out to the rural and remote communities with better access to Government Services.

Enhanced bilateral relationship with the Government of Indonesia led to a Ministerial visit of the Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Hon.
Dr. Yohana Susana Yembise to Fiji.

The visit recognizes the Government’s effort towards women empowerment and gender equality.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this report involves information about the programmes, projects and the achievement for the year 2015.

It has been a year of great success reflecting on the achievements of the Ministry.
I would like to express my gratitude to the hardworking staff of the Ministry, Donor Agencies and Organization, Domestic Partners and International Partners and Non – Governmental for their contribution towards the Organization (NGO’s) achievement of the Ministry’s Outcome throughout the year.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to present to you the Annual Report for the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation for the year 2015.
Honourable Rosy Sofia Akbar Minister for Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation 4 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 5 PERMANENT SECRETARy’S r E M A r K S The transfer of the Poverty Monitoring Unit from the Prime Minister’s Office complimented the work dimensions of the Ministry.
It also expanded the role in monitoring the impact of all the poverty alleviation programs across Ministries and agencies.

to connect our women to local and international markets.

The cooperation with Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism has inspired a new generation of Fijian Women Artisans that meets the market quality and expand the range of Fijian Made Crafts, Sewn, Grown and Produced.
The Ministry undertook strong cooperation with the Republic of Indonesia within the first Joint Technical Working Group in June 2015.

I must commend the strong leadership of Fiji’s Ambassador to Indonesia to spearhead new initiatives that benefitted rural women artisans in Fiji in sea weed, bamboo and coconut crafts and sea shells craftworks.

I must thank the Fijian Missions abroad for championing women cooperation, capacity building programs, and bilateral interministerial programs.
The involvement of the private sector and faith based organization featured clearly this year and to them and our partners, we want to express our utmost gratitude.

Definitely there has been a greater partnership formed for public campaigns against child abuse and violence against women.

Partnerships with Fiji Bus Operators for mobile messaging and priority seating for people with disabilities, expectant mothers, and older persons was a new step in the right direction.
Women artisans were mentored on high quality Fijian Made products and to be a licensed Fijian Made Artisan in the bid Dr. Josefa Koroivueta Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation 6 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 7 Core Functions of the Ministry The role of the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation: ▶ Provide Care and Protection Programmes for Children as stipulated under the relevant legislations ▶ Provide Social Protection Programmes for the disadvantaged and the Poor ▶ Empowerment of women and Gender Mainstreaming ▶ Monitor and report on the progress of Government’s Poverty Alleviation Programmes Statutory Obligations under the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation: Adoption of Infants Act (Cap.58) 1978 1.
Community Work Act 1994 2.

Family Law Act 2003 3.

Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons Act 21, 1994 4.

5.

Juveniles Act (Cap 56)1973 6.

Probation Act (Cap) 1978 7.

Domestic Violence Decree 2009 Child Welfare Decree 2010 8.

9.

Social Justice Act (1997) Alignment to International Conventions: Convention on the Rights of the Child (1993) Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (1995) Beijing Platform for Action (1995) 1.

2.

3.

4.
2.

3.

4.

Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002) 5.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 6 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 7 7 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Organization Chart / r e g n e s s e M y t r e v o P d n a n e r d l i h C , , ) W ( O W P ) N ( O W P O R P ) t n a c a v ( ) P R ( O W S ) E S ( O W S ) R ( O W S ) W N ( O W S ) C ( O W S O W S I U N S A N ) A P W ( I O W S I O W ) C ( I O W S ) W A D E C ( I O W ) n r e t s a E ( ) L ( I O W S ) h t r o N ( I O W ) n r e t s e W ( I O W ) h c r a e s e R ( I O W S ) S I ( O W S ) P C ( O W S ) W S ( O W S ) N ( O W S ) t n a c a v ( E M S e v i t a r t s i n m d A i ) U P P / R H ( r e c i f f O e v i t a r t s i n m d A i ) F W F ( r e c i f f O r e c i f f O e v i t a r t s i n m d A i ) v e D / g n n a r T ( ) e c n a n i F ( O A P 8 8 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 9 In this Section: ▶ Executive Support Unit ▶ Bilateral Meeting ▶ Fostering People to Peoples
 Relations ▶ Initiatives to Improve Accessibility and Care for the Elderly 8 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T Hon.
Rosy S. Akbar was part of the delegation to India led by the Hon.

Prime Minister, Josaia V. Bainimarama 9 1.0 Executive Support Unit The core responsibility of the Unit is to provide sound and accurate policy advice(s), maintain professionalism and confidentiality facilitate speeches and statements for the Minister, coordinate logistical arrangements for domestic and international travels and commitments to the Office of the Minister and Office of the Permanent Secretary.
1.1 Bilateral Meeting The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation led a 7 member delegation to the Republic of Indonesia in June to attend the First Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) on Women Empowerment and Child Protection and Social Affairs.

The meeting was from the 8th to 14th of June, 2015.

The Ministry singed a MOU with the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection and the Ministry of Social Affairs.
An outcome of this meeting was the development and implementation of a work plan.

Hon.

Akbar paid courtesy visits to her counterpart Minister’s Hon.

Dr. Yohana Susana Yembise the Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection and the Minister for Social Affairs Hon.

Khofifah Tegistha Indar Parawansa.

Hon.

Minister, Rosy Akbar held talks in New York with Japan’s Representative to the 59th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Ms. Hiroko Hashimoto.
The discussion covered areas of common interest for future cooperation and engagements.

During this engagement, Hon.

Minister expressed Fiji’s appreciation to the People’s Republic of Japan for financing women’s innovative projects in Fiji to improve access to services, gender equality and economic empowerment.

The CSW was from the 9th – 20th of March, 2015 and the delegation included the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Josefa Koroivueta and Director for Women, Arieta Moceica.
1.2 Fostering People to Peoples Relations Through a bilateral engagement between the Government of Fiji and the Government of Indonesia, the Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Hon.

Dr. Yohana Susana Yembise visited Fiji in October.

The visit resulted from Hon.


Akbar’s invitation during a bilateral meeting on the margins of the 59th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), New York and an outcome from the implementation work plan that was agreed upon from the First Joint Technical Working Group held in Indonesia in June.
1 0 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 1 1 Minister Yembise, was the Key Note Speaker at the National Women’s Expo.

Her entourage included Senior Government officials from her Ministry and Business Women who brings in wealth of experience that can help and revive Fiji’s Small and Medium Enterprises.
1.3 Initiatives to Improve Accessibility and Care for the Elderly In April 2015, the Honorable Prime Minister J. V Bainimarama signed an agreement with UNDP and the Government of Japan for the implementation of a new initiative called the Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion (REACH) for rural and urban Fijians.

The project aims to support the Government in its stand to service delivery and bringing services closer to where Fijians live.

It is a three year project with a funding of USD$2,685,000.
1 0 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 1 1 Mobile messaging for Child Helpline No.

1325 was launched in partnership with Fiji Bus Operators Association (FBOA).

In this Section: ▶ Department of Social Welfare ▶ Child Services Unit ▶ Family Services Unit ▶ Older Persons Unit 1 2 Hon.
Rosy S. Akbar and Dr. Josefa Koroivueta handing over Income Generation Project to a recipient.
M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 1 3 2.0 Department of Social Welfare The core responsibility for the Department is child protection and social protection programs for the poor, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged.
The Department has three (3) Units: 2.1 CHILD SERVICES UNIT The Unit has statutory responsibilities in the care and protection of children.

The responsibilities of the Unit are divided into three (3) main Programme as follows: ▶ ▶ ▶ Children Protection Programmes Residential Services and Probation and Juvenile Justice Programmes Activity 1: Ensuring Child Protection through Institutional or Foster Placements The Unit recorded a total of 109 child placements into residential facilities.
The table below provides the details of the placements done at the ten (10) residential homes.

Table 1: Foster Placements into Residential Homes for Children 2015 No: Residential Homes 4 Dilkusha 2 St Christopher 9 Lomani Au Home 2 Treasure Home 7 St. Minas 3 Veilomani Home 2 Homes of Hope 60 FJRDC 8 Pearly Gates 12 St Tabitha 109 Total The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon.

Rosy Akbar with children to celebrate Fiji Day at a Residential Home.
Activity 2: Recording and Case Work on Child Welfare Decree Cases The Child Welfare Decree 2010 ensures the mandatory reporting of cases of possible, likely or actual harm in relation to events detected by a professional affecting the health and welfare of children.

It emphasizes the duty of care of the professional handling cases of possible child abuse and lists the reporting requirements in such cases so as to protect the confidentiality and integrity of such cases.
In 2015, the Department recorded 946 reported cases.
Table 2: Breakdown of Child Welfare Decree cases (January – December 2015) Case Type Abandoned Abduction Abscond Case Attempted Suicide Available for Adoption Beyond Control Child Beggar Child Labour Child Neglect Total 15 6 2 20 5 71 7 4 161 1 2 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 1 3 Case Type Emotional Abuse In need (C&P) Involved - accident Malnutrition Severe Malnutrition Missing Physical Abuse CSEC Sexual Abuse Teenage Pregnancy Theft Truancy Verbal Abuse Victim of Parental Conflict Young Offenders Not stated Total Total 25 10 2 1 26 11 152 3 177 168 18 7 8 36 10 1 946 Comparative Analysis 2014 - 2015 Overall Percentage Increase - 12.8% (Top 4 Cases) Teenage Pregnancy Sexual Abuse Physical Abuse Child Neglet 0 50 100 150 200 2015 2014 Activity 3: Residential Care The ten residential homes for children were audited according to the National Minimum Standards for Children’s Home to ensure that the homes are in the best interest of children’s quality care and management of the home are in compliance with the nine standards listed below: 1.
2.

3.

4.

Standard 1: Security and protection from abuse Standard 2: Meeting the needs of the child Standard 3: Healthy living Standard 4: Education and training Ratings were scored between 70% and 80% (refer to Graph 3).

Graph 3: Audit Ratings for the Residential Homes in 2015 5.

6.

7.

8.

9.
Standard 5: Ensuring child development Standard 6: Preparation for adulthood Standard 7: Maintenance of family contact Standard 8: Encouraging children in decision making Standard 9: Skilled and trained care staff Veilomani Boys Home Treasure House Christian Children’s Home Saint Tabitha Orphanage Saint Minas Children’s Home Saint Christopher’s Home Pearly Gates Home Lomani Au Homes of Hope Fiji Juvenile Rehabilitation & Development Centre Dilkusha Children’s Home 64 66 68 70 70 71 71 72 72 76 76 77 78 78 80 74 76 78 80 82 Overall Rating (%) Activity 4: Monthly Allowance Government’s commitment towards the care of children in residential homes, residential homes for children are provided with monthly allowance.
The table below shows the total allowance paid during the year.
Table 4: 2015 Monthly Payments to the Homes for Children’s Welfare # Residential Home for Children Dilkusha Children’s Home Fiji Crippled Children Society Homes of Hope Lomani Au Saint Christopher’s Home Saint Minas Children’s Home Treasure House Christian Children’s Home Veilomani Boys Home Total Quarter 1 8,600 300 1,100 2,700 6,700 6,500 8,600 5,200 $39,700 Quarter 2 9,200 500 500 1,800 6,700 5,900 8,400 3,500 $36,500 Quarter 3 8,400 300 600 2,700 6,500 6,100 8,400 5,500 $38,500 Quarter 4 8,500 600 NA 3,100 6,600 6,300 8,600 4,800 $37,300 Total 26,200 1,700 2,200 10,300 26,500 24,800 34,000 19,000 $144,700 1 4 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 1 5 Activity 5: Care Plans The Department developed 145 care plans for child placements in residential homes.
The table below provides a quarterly breakdown of care plans developed across the four (4) divisions: Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Table 5: Developed Care Plans for Children in 2015 # Northern North West South West South East Nasinu Central Total 9 14 42 - - - 65 - 5 - 3 4 42 54 - 17 - - - - 17 - - 9 - - 9 Total 9 36 42 12 4 42 145 Central Nasinu South East South West North West Northern 0 10 20 30 40 50 Activity 6: Rehabilitation of Juvenile Offenders The Department has statutory responsibilities towards the care and protection of children via a court decision, particularly for children who are found to be in breach of the Crimes Decree.
The Juveniles Act (Cap 56 1973), provides for the administration of juvenile justice.

In 2015, the Department submitted a total of 9 probation reports to Courts.

In September 2015, the Fiji Juveniles Rehabilitation and Development Centre received a 12 seater vehicle to assist the Centre with its operations.
Activity 7: Child Helpline The Child Help Line (CHL) is a Government initiative under the Child protection Multi Year Work Plan agreed with UNICEF to provide improved services for the prevention of and response to the abuse of children.
The CHL responds to the increasing incidences of child abuse and exploitation which were being reported by the relevant authorities and Civil Society Organization The Fijian Government, through the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, pursued this venture in partnership with Medical Services Pacific (MSP) and three major telecommunications companies – Digicel, Vodafone and Telecom Fiji Limited, who supplied the dedicated line.
The facility encourages parents and children to make use of the toll free line, 1325 to acquire information and report any child-related cases.

The Medical Services Pacific recorded a total of 8,695 calls during the first year of launching this Programme.

Table 6 provides a quarterly breakdown of the categorized calls.
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 National Total Table 6: Child Help Line Statistics 2015 Calls Genuine Prank Silent Testing Voice Mail Total Activity 8: Training of Trainers Aligned to community development, the department continued to train community facilitators in relation to Child Protection.
A total of 17 Community awareness were facilitated across the divisions as stated on table 7 below: Table 7: Trainings conducted in the Divisions on Child Protection DivisioNs Northern North West South West Central Total ToTAl 1 7 7 2 17 total training 17 1 4 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 1 5 Activity 9: National Coordinating Committee on Children (NCCC) and Inter-Agency Committee The (NCCC) is a multi-sectoral committee established in 1993 following Fiji’s ratification of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC).
The NCCC is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Convention and its role also extends to providing advice, regulating and monitoring the protection and welfare of children in Fiji.

The Department organized 21 Meetings to inform developments on the implementation of the recommendation from the United Nations CRC Secretariat in Geneva.

Below is a table that shows the National Coordinating Meetings and Inter Agency Meetings conducted in 2015.
Division Northern North West South West South East Nasinu Central Total Total 6 4 4 6 - 1 21 Activity 10: Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (PCAN) The PCAN is also known as the Blue Ribbon campaign.

The campaign serves to remind us all of the international and national strive to address and eliminate child abuse and neglect in our different communities.

Children’s welfare is a top priority for the Ministry.

Fiji joins the PCAN campaign organized worldwide to prevent the abuse and neglect of children.
Child protection requires collective actions between Government, Non-Government Organizations and communities to effectively address the issue at national level.

The Ministry engaged schools and communities to spread the awareness on the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

There were a total of 14 PCAN Awareness campaign around the country.

Of the total 14 awareness campaigns, 8 in the Central / Southern Eastern Division while 5 in the Western Division and 1 in the Northern Division.
Activity 11: Court Reports The Department has statutory obligations to provide Ministry of Justice with reports in relation to best interests of the children.

A total of 645 court reports ere facilitated in 2015.

Table 8 provides detailed breakdown.
Table 8: Court Reports Facilitated in 2015 Total 232 127 124 62 56 44 645 Divisions South West South East Nasinu North West Northern Central Total 1 6 1 6 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 1 7 2.2 FAMILY SERVICES UNIT The Department administers several social transfer schemes for low income and vulnerable individuals and families, including the Care and Protection Allowance for Children.
Activity 1: Poverty Benefit Scheme The Poverty Benefit Scheme (PBS) was set up specifically to provide financial support to destitute and poor households.

The PBS replaced the Family Assistance Program (FAP) and this has emanated following the partnership between the Ministry and the World Bank to review and streamline the social protection programs in Fiji.

In the 2015 Budget, a sum of $22million has been allocated towards this initiative.

The Scheme targets those who are living in poverty.
The Ministry assisted a total of 23,235 households.

This surpasses the target for the year by 3749 cases.
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Table 9: New Approvals under the Poverty Benefit Scheme in 2015 Divisions North West Northern South West Central Nasinu South East Total 497 137 371 300 188 131 1624 454 310 169 116 77 113 1239 370 443 215 255 125 52 1460 293 399 391 188 72 83 1426 Poverty Benefit Scheme Total 1614 1289 1146 859 462 379 5749 Total Approved Cases: 5,749 $22m Budget Allocation: This surpasses the target for the year by 807 reviewed cases.
Table 10 provides the breakdown of reviewed cases.
Table 10: 2015 Reviews: Divisions Northern North West South West Central South East Nasinu Total Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 100 57 331 65 17 14 584 118 41 31 90 6 14 300 328 467 35 285 106 42 1263 338 79 202 3 22 38 660 Total 884 644 599 443 151 108 2807 Poverty Benefit Scheme Total Approved Cases: 2,807 23,235 Total households assisted: Activity 2: Care and Protection Allowance (C&P) The Care and Protection Allowance (C&P Allowance) is a program for children living under single parent household, prisoner dependent families and foster families living in poverty.
The allowance aims to provide FJD30 to FJD60 per month to children, depending on age and disability; families are permitted to receive a maximum of FJD110 per month, plus a food voucher of FJD30.

The C&P Allowance is also given as cash grants to residential homes that provide foster care, adoption and residential facilities for orphans.

In 2015 Government continued to assist the program with a budgetary allocation of $2.0million and assisted a total of 3,141 cases by end of December 2015.
Total number of households assisted were 3141.
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Table 11: 2015 New Approvals for the Care and Protection Allowance Divisions South West Central North West Northern South East Nasinu Total 44 50 36 24 12 11 177 84 43 79 35 24 20 285 65 58 60 58 19 20 280 59 64 32 44 26 6 231 Care & Protection Allowance Total 252 215 207 161 81 57 973 Total Approved Cases: 3,141 $2m Budget for 2015: 1 6 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 1 7 A total of 780 cases were reviewed under the Care and Protection Allowance.
From the total 780 cases reviewed, the Northern Division recorded 266.

The breakdowns as per the 6 divisional offices around Fiji are projected under 432 cases and Central Division with 114 cases.

Activity 3: Food Voucher Program (FVP) The Department assisted 23,235 households under Poverty Benefit Scheme(PBS) and 3,141 households under the Care & Protection Allowance with Food Voucher Programme.

In addition to the cash allowance, each household receives a $30.00 monthly food voucher.
$30monthly PBS 23,325households C&P 3,141households Activity 4: Food Voucher Program for Rural Pregnant Mothers (FVRPM) The Program aims at improving the maternal health and provides basic nutrition needs required during pregnancies.

Basically it serves as an incentive for rural pregnant mothers to register early in their health facilities as to avoid complications during later stages of pregnancy or during child birth.

The Department approved a total of 2,899 cases to be assisted under the Program.
Table 12: Food Voucher for Rural Pregnant Mothers – New Approvals 2015 Divisions Northern North West South West South East Central Total Total 772 709 456 424 538 2899 Activity 5: Social Pension Scheme Social Pension Scheme provides allowance for persons aged 68 years and over who do not have any form of income or pension from schemes such as FNPF and After Care Fund.

The Ministry assisted 16,472 senior citizens through this scheme.
The Western Division approved 2387 cases while Central Division approved 1656, Eastern Division 594 cases and Northern Division 963 cases.

This surpassed the target for the year by 78 reviewed cases as highlighted in the table below.
Graph 13: Social Pension Scheme - Reviews conducted 2015 Central Nasinu South East South West North West Northern 26 40 66 72 113 0 50 100 150 200 250 261 300 Total Activity 6: Grants to Voluntary Organizations The Department in recognition of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) contribution towards enhancing service delivery to its target groups, a specific 1 8 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 1 9 grant is allocated accordingly.
Below is the breakdown of Organizations assisted through the Grant.

Table 14: Recipients of Grants to Voluntary Organizations 2015 No.
voluntary organizations 1 The Methodist Veilomani Boys Home 2 Lautoka Special School 3 St. Christopher’s Home 4 Fiji Vocational Technical Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities 5 Fiji Society for the Blind 6 Homes of Hope 7 Counterstroke Fiji 8 Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation (FDPF) 9 Fiji Association for Deaf 10 United Blind Person 11 Spinal Injury Association of Fiji 12 Empower Pacific 13 The New Samaritan Mission International Dilkusha 14 15 Western Disable 16 17 18 19 Fiji Cripples Society Treasure Home Sunshine Special School Trumpet Trust Activity 7: Bus Fare Concession Cards Grant Provided 20,000 11,440 20,000 17,000 10,000 20,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 20,000 5,000 20,000 5,000 10,000 n/a n/a n/a Total accumulated Concession Bus fare cards issued 49,351 (47,066 for Elderly and 2,285 for Persons with Disabilities).
The Department approved 6,659 bus fare cards with details shown in graph 15 below.

Graph 15: Approved New Bus Fare Cards across the Four Divisions 406 Nasinu Northern Central North West South East South West 990 1080 1098 1256 47,066 older persons 2,285 disabled persons 1829 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 Total Activity 8: Fire Victim The Department approved 160 cases through the Fire Victims Relief Assistance Programme.
Activity 9: Income Generation Projects (IGP) The Department trained a total of 130 welfare recipients who later received funding for income generation projects.

The table (16) below shows the number of recipients trained.
Table 16: Trained Recipients for the Income Generating Program 2015 Divisions Northern North West South West South East Nasinu Central Total Number Trained 20 24 19 22 22 23 130 1 8 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 1 9 Table 17: Breakdown of Cases Graduated from the Social Welfare Assistance since 2009 Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 (includes all training 2015) Total Number Assisted The program was been setup 61 8 60 (5 from FNCDP) 85 (5 from FNCDP) 170 (5 from FNCDP) 138 Number Graduated N/A 56 8 35 21 116 522 236 A total of 116 recipients graduated under the welfare to workfare programme.
116 Graduated under the welfare to workfare program 2.3 OLDER PERSONS UNIT (OPU) The National Council of Older Persons (NCOP) Decree [2012], has led to an established Advisory Body that is responsible for all matters and issues related to Older Persons in Fiji.

The Council: ▶ ▶ also serves as the umbrella body for all services and programs of older persons, and organizations that provide services to older persons will need to be registered under the Council.
is the implementing agency for the National Ageing Policy, thus promoting the inclusion, protection, health and supportive environment for older persons in Fiji.

It will be the central authority and coordinating body for developing national strategic directions to cater for Fiji’s Older Person.

Table 18: List of NCOP Registered Organizations No.
NCoP Registered Affiliates The Mother Aubert Home of Compassion Trust, Suva Housing Assistance and Relief Trust, Nasinu The Suva Relief Fund Trust Board (Pearce Home, Suva) Society of Saint Vincent De Paul, Suva The Golden Age Home, Lautoka Samabula Senior Citizens Home, Suva Father Law Home (Lami, Suva) Senior Citizens Association, Nadi Senior Citizens Foundation, Lautoka Sisters of our Lady of Nazareth Retirement Home, Wailoku Suva Banaban Elders and Land Owners Association Table 19: Recipients of NCOP Grants 2015 No.
Voluntary Organizations Ba Senior Citizens Community Centre Father Law Home HART Nursing Home Home of Compassion Pearce Home Saint Vincent De Paul Senior Citizens Foundation Lautoka Branch Total Grant $15,000 $20,000 $17,000 $17,708 $17,000 $20,000 $15,000 Total Amount for Recipients of NCoP Grants 2015 $121,708 2 0 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 1 In this Section: ▶ Department of Women ▶ Thematic Area 1: Formal Sector Employment and Livelihood ▶ Thematic Area 2: Equal Participation in Decision Making ▶ Thematic Area 3: Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children ▶ Thematic Area 4: Access to Basic Services ▶ Thematic Area 5: Women and the Law 2 0 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2015 Women’s Expo - Guest of Honour, H.E Dr. Yohana Yembise with Hon.
Rosy S. Akbar and Hon.

Prime Minister, Josaia V. Bainimarama 2 1 3.0 Department of Women The Department focuses on gender mainstreaming, empowerment of women, gender equality and advocacy in working towards achieving its 5 Thematic Areas as outlined in the National Women’s Plan of Action.

3.1 Thematic Area 1: Formal Sector Employment and Livelihood This thematic area is divided into two specific areas, Formal and the Informal Sector.
The Formal Sector component covers training and awareness on the laws relating to employment.

The activities under the informal sector covers assistance for income generating projects, grants to women’s organization, distribution of the sewing machines for skills and economic empowerment for women, construction of Women’s Resource Centers and Women’s Extension Centers and the development of core products.
Included were the technical training, skills, capacity building, business management and financial literacy training.

National Women’s Expo is a major activity under this thematic area with divisional crafts shows held as a platform to handpick women to participate in the National Women’s Expo.
Activity 1: income Generation Projects (iGP) & Monitoring of iGP’s Naitasiri Rewa Namosi Serua Tailevu Rotuma Kadavu Lomaiviti Macuata Bua Cakaudrove Rakiraki Tavua Ba Yasawa Lautoka Nadi Sigatoka 6 5 7 3 2 1 5 4 4 2 6 7 8 14 12 10 13 29 $5,548.01 western division $21,350.97 eastern division $3,805.30 central division 0 The monitoring conducted was to find out the progress of the Projects and an opportune time for members of the women’s groups to discuss success and challenges faced and map out opportunities to better the implementation of such projects.
Activity 5: Bilateral Relationship with indonesia Through a bilateral arrangement the Ministry engaged with the Indonesian Government on various training programs.

Through this engagement, ten (10) business women from Fiji travelled to Indonesia to attend the International Workshop on Entrepreneurship for Asia Pacific from 8th to 12th November 2015.
Identified women were potential entrepreneurs who had a lot to learn from the Ciputra Institute Business Mentoring Programme based in Indonesia and 8 participants were selected to attend the Ciputra training in Indonesia.

In addition, as part of the bilateral relationship a sea shell jewelry making and Trash for Cash training was also conducted by Indonesian official.
Activity 2: Business and Financial literacy Training The Department facilitated 18 Financial Literacy training to 32 Women’s Group around the four divisions in partnership with Co-operatives Department, Westpac and ANZ Bank.

Ten (10) trainings were held in the Central Division, five (5) training in the Western Division while two (2) in the Northern Division and one (1) in the Eastern Division.
Women’s groups were better equipped to keep financial records for the project after the Financial Literacy Training.

Activity 3: Technical Training Nine (9) Technical training were conducted to 15 Women’s Group in the four divisions.

Technical training mostly consisted of bread making, beekeeping, trash for cash, and poultry training.

Six (6) Technical training were provided in the Eastern Division, four (4) in the Western Division while two (2) in the Eastern and two (2) in the Northern Division.
The trainings will upskill recipients in terms of operation and maintenance of their projects.

Activity 4: Capacity Building Training Four (4) Capacity Building training were provided to women’s group in the Western Division to upgrade their skills in leadership and club management.
2 2 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 3 At the four (4) divisional craft shows, products were divided into four categories which included; handicraft/jewelries, sewn garments, preserved food and traditional mats.
Through the support of the Fiji Arts Council, products were judged based on the quality of the craftsmanship, creativity, design and practical use of the products.

Another highlight of the divisional craft shows is the Capacity Building Training for Participants .Up skilling and capacity building training for women participating in the divisional craft show were facilitated.

These trainings were also a build up for women that would proceed to the National Expo.
A total of 12 Packaging and Food Handling Training were provided to women groups in the Western Division and three of the similar training was conducted in the Central Division.

This training was specifically provided to groups who would be selling food in the divisional and the National Expo.
Activity 8: National Women’s Expo 2015 The National Women’s Expo was held from the 14th to 16th October at the Vodafone Arena in Suva hosting up to 570 women artisans from both rural and urban centers selected from the four divisions to market and showcase hand crafted, sewn products and contemporary items using locally available resources.
Out of the 570 women artisans, 178 were represented from the Eastern Division (Rotuma, Lau and Lomaiviti), while 152 participants from the Central Division (Suva to Korovou, far back rural Tailevu and Naitasiri) and 120 participants from the Northern and Western Division respectively.

Total sales earned through the Event was around $352,000.
The objectives of the Event are as follows: • • • • • • Celebrate Fijian Women’s Talent; Encourage effective action for advancing and recognizing rural women’s talents; Connect rural women’s production to the local and international market; Promote rural women in micro-entrepreneurship through business development opportunities; Market Fiji rural women’s production with the “Fijian Made” Emblem and labeling; and Enhance rural women development.
Activity 6: Evaluation of Women Resource Centre The Department conducted evaluation exercise for Women Resource Centers to measure the efficiency of Ministry’s initiative.

This provided significant insight into how the centers are being utilized and managed.
The following were some of the recommendations provided after the evaluation exercise: • Establish contracted carpenters in the four divisions to ensure efficient use of construction materials and timely completion of center; A project enhancement officer with strong economic and business background to further develop and link the women’s group in these centers to potential markets; Department to encourage individual based assistance in the future.
• • Activity 7: Divisional Craft show 2015 The Ministry took a strategic step in organizing craft shows in the four divisions aimed to provide platform for the women in Fiji to showcase their talents and connect their products to potential markets before the National Event.

This move was made in order to improve the quality of products.

The divisional crafts shows were held for a day and all women artisans displayed their products and judging was conducted by Fiji Arts Council.
Women identified from the divisional craft show were then facilitated with product up skilling and presentation training in order to bring quality products to the National Expo.

The divisional craft shows were as follows: • • • • Western Division held its divisional craft show at Shirley Park on 24th June, 2015; Eastern Division had to take the craft show to the islands due to geographical diversity.

A total of four (4) craft shows were conducted in four different islands.
These were namely; Koro, Gau, Levuka and Rotuma; Northern Division hosted two craft shows for the registered women’s group and these were in Labasa and Bua; and Central Division had its craft show from 22nd to 23rd July, 2015 at the Suva Foreshore.
131 81 84 81 74 61 91 90 Westpac 11 1 Suva Corridor Fijian of Indian Descendant 3 Serua Namosi Beqa Rewa Tailevu South Tailevu North Naitasiri Savusavu Bua Labasa 12 6 14 43 31 21 44 28 28 27 29 30 22 32 35 20 25 Rotuma 6 Levuka Gau Koro Sigatoka Nadi Lautoka Rakiraki Tavua Ba 10 16 19 70 54 63 48 51 33 14 27 17 92 250 Highlights of Event: • Fijian Made, Fijian Crafted and Fijian sewn licensing • 120 150 154 2 2 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 3 # of Participating Women # of Participating Women's Groups • 2015 National Women’s Expo Guest of Honour Forty three (43) women artisans across the divisions were awarded with the Fijian Made licenses.
From the total 43 Fijian Made License women artisans, 38 were from the Northern Division while 3 from the Central Division and 2 from the Western Division.

This was accomplished through close relationship with Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Marked improvement in the quantity and qualities of products is attributed to the time taken by officers to encourage women through ongoing capacity building and close monitoring.
Assistance by Ministry for industry, Trade and Tourism • Extended assistance to the National Women’s Expo in the form of $15,000 contribution.

Through this initiative, Government continued to assist women entrepreneurs through various channels including small and micro enterprise grants which promote market for women crafters.

Best-selling Products in Divisions 2015 • Each division had their own best-selling products that the public highly demanded of.
Eastern division’s best-selling craft included; assorted mats, masi and VCO’s.

Western division marketed on assorted mats and kuta, quilts, contemporary items like earring, necklace.

Northern Division bestselling products included assorted mats from Voivoi and Kuta and VCO.

Central division earned most income on assorted contemporary products including textiles products and mats from voivoi.
The bilateral relationship between the Fijian Government through our Ministry and Ministry for Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Indonesia provided the platform for our Ministry delegation led by Hon.

Minister Rosy Akbar visited counterpart Minister for Women and Child Protection H.E Dr. Yohana Yembise in Indonesia in May.

From this meeting Hon.

Rosy Akbar extended formal invitation to H.E Dr. Yohana Yembise to attend the National Expo as our guest of honor.
During the official visit, Dr. Yembise visited some of the women’s development projects in Fiji.

The strengthened bilateral ties between Republic of Indonesia and Fijian Government will establish women’s exchange program so that Fijian women are able to visit Indonesia for training and vice versa.

Dr. Yembise was impressed with all the displays at the expo and said that the Fijian women were very creative and skilled.
side Events at the Expo Event • There were a few side events organized by the Department during the Expo event.

It included: Capacity Building Workshop, Westpac Financial Literacy Training, UNDP REACH Program, Solar & Rocket Stove Training, Indonesia Plastic Recycled Product Training and Sewing maintenance Training.

$352,000 total sales 570 women artisans 3.2 Thematic Area 2: Equal Participation in Decision Making The focus of this thematic area is to promote women in all spheres of leadership.
Through leadership trainings and workshops, the department encourages women to represent their interest better within their communities.

Activity 1: Women in leadership - Development of Traditional leaders The training was extended to other women ranked below the Marama-ni-Yavusa especially those involved as office bearers and potential leaders of women’s NGO’s umbrella bodies.

Four (4) trainings were facilitated attended by 104 women across the 4 divisions.
2 4 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 5 3.3 Thematic Area 3: Elimination of Violence against Women and Children Violence, abuse and exploitation of women and children continue to be a challenging issue for development.
While progress has been made, women and children continue to suffer from discrimination, violence, abuse and sexual and economic exploitation.

Many more face protection risks and are often invisible, under-recognized and underreported.
Activity 1: Zero Tolerance violence Free Community (ZTvFC) implementation Program A total of 20 programs attended by 242 participants (124 males & 118 females) across the Eastern, Central and Western divisions were facilitated adhering to the ZTVFC Standard Operating Procedures and ensuring that communities completed the required phases before declaration.

In addition, six (6) communities were declared “Violence free Communities” in the Western, Central and Eastern Division.
Table below shows the Declared ZTV Communities.

No.
division date Community Name / Location Western Central Eastern 15/12/2015 15/12/2015 19/03/2015 16/12/2015 08/12/2015 18/12/2015 Korobebe Village, Nadi Nagado Village, Nadi Tubairata Village, Sigatoka Nasaibitu Village, Tailevu Viria Village, Naitasiri Vatukalo Village, Ovalau Activity 2: strengthening Capacities of Gatekeepers in ZTvFC Gatekeepers play a major role in the ZTVFC Program as they become the key personnel to monitor community progress regarding elimination of violence against women and children.
Gatekeepers from 30 declared communities were provided follow up gender based violence training.

Graph below highlights the training conducted for Gatekeepers: Eastern 1 5 11 Western Central Northern 9 9 11 26 21 33 32 43 47 Male Participants Female Participants Gatekeepers Refresher Training In addition to the above training, there were also 24 Gatekeepers meetings undertaken across the four divisions to monitor and follow up on work implemented in their respective communities since the declaration.
Activity 3: Male advocacy Training The Department in partnership with Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre conducted a 3 day Male Advocacy awareness Program attended by 87 participants across the four divisions.

The objective of the program is strengthening capacity through gender sensitization training targeting ZTVFC Gatekeepers Committees.
Gender Male Advocacy Training participants with Ms. Shamima Ali from the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Activity 4: Women and Children summit The Ministry facilitated 3 divisional summit (Central and Eastern, Northern and Western), focusing at creating a safer community for all.

Revised work plans and learning from success stories were the highlights of the event.
117 participants across the 4 divisions attended the summit as highlighted on the graphical representation below: 11 11 6 Northern Western Central / Eastern 28 25 25 19 17 14 # of Male Participants # of Female Participants # of Participating Communities Activity 5: 16 Days Activism against Gender Based violence The Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Fiji Medical Association resulted in the 16 Days of Activism launched at FNU Pasifika Campus.
A panel discussion was organized with the theme “Violence against Women: the Cost to Fiji” which was also part of awareness on the issue of gender based violence.

Hon.
Hon.

Minister for Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation, Rosy S. Akbar at the official launch of 16 Days Activism against Gender Based Violence 3.4 Thematic Area 4: Improved Access to Basic Services Number of SRH Awareness The access to services programme is looking at various components of access to services which includes; reproductive health / HIV/AIDS, Education, Transport, Infrastructure and other key relevant issues that affect the lives of the women.
Activity 1: sexual Reproductive Health Awareness (sRH) The programme plays an important role in reaching out to women in peri- urban and rural communities regarding social issues in relation to women’s reproductive health.

The awareness sessions provide the women in the communities to discuss and broaden their knowledge on SRH.
9, 19% 15, 32% 7, 15% 16, 34% Northern Eastern Central Western 2 4 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 5 Activity 2: Rocket stove Rocket Stove were introduced to enable women to have access to energy efficient stove that enable them to save cost whilst protecting our environment.
The expected outcome from the FJ Rocket Stove Program is as follows: • • FJ Rocket provides measure for climate mitigation; Women are able to spend quality time attending to other productive work given the less time spend on fetching firewood; Less deforestation leads to resource mobilization for future development and population; and Productive and healthy women who can contribute significantly towards development at community level.
• • Highlights for Rocket Stove Training: Rocket Training with latter Day saints (lDs) Church • With the high interest and demand for FJ Rocket stove, LDS College requested for FJ Rocket Stove Training Program to be included in their TVET Program.

The Rocket Stove project was integrated into LDS school curriculum as a Product Development Course 2015.
After the successful implementation of FJ Rocket Stove Product Development Course at LDS College, both Ministry and LDS College signed on Memorandum of Understanding.

The MoU strengths the relationship between the two parties and also ensures that students continue to be provided with the vocational training.

Hon.
Hon.

Minister Rosy S. Akbar at the Handing over of Certificates to Vocational Students in LDS College A one – week hands on training attended by representatives of women’s group in the 6 villages in the District of Noimalu was held at Narokorokoyawa Village.

On 18th December, 2015 Hon.

Rosy S. Akbar officiated at the closing of the trainings whereby women displayed their completed Rocket Stove.

(Left) Minister for Women, Hon.


Ms. Rosy S. Akbar makes her way across one of the four rivers to Narokorokoyawa Village, in Naitasiri (Right) Minister for Women escorted by villagers to the community hall at Nakorokoroyawa Village, Naitasiri.

Activity 3: solar Grandmothers The Department continued to monitor Solar Mama’s Program to strengthened community committee to ensure provision of sustainable solar energy.
This will continue to provide for lighting to families, better facilitates for women and family members where they can involve in other productive work.

There were 11 project sites which were monitored across the three (3) Divisions to gauge Programme effectiveness as highlighted on table below: FJ Rocket stove Training in Narokorokoyawa village, Naitasiri • Narokorokoyawa village is one of the six villages in Tikina of Noimalu.
With a population of 151 and 35 households, the village is not accessible to proper roads and used horse ride or walk for more than an hour to reach for transport that leaves for town in the early hours (4:30am).
division Western Eastern Northern Total Location 2 4 5 11 People involved Male 20 0 5 25 Female 13 4 10 27 Total 33 4 15 52 3.5 Thematic Area 5: Women and the Law The department works in collaboration with Relevant Stakeholders in ensuring that women are well educated and aware of their rights and have access to justice.
Activity 1: Fiji’s Participation at the Commission on the status of Women 59th session 9th – 20th March, 2015, New York Minister for Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation, Ms. Rosy Sofia Akbar led the delegation accompanied by the Permanent Secretary and Director Women, to New York.
The theme for the 59th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women was reviewing the progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA), 20 years after its adoption at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995.
Fiji delegation participated in high level discussion with the following agencies and counterparts women ministries from the respective countries below; • • UN Women Executive Director; UNICEF Executive Director; and • Counterpart Women Ministers from India, China, Bangladesh, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Japan.

Fiji’s annual contribution to the UN Women with the sum of FJD$10,000 was presented to the executive director.

This is to ensure the continuous strengthening of the multi-lateral cooperation.
Activity 2: National Gender Policy Permanent secretary’s Policy Dialogue Workshop The Department conducted series of Gender Policy Dialogue forum for the Permanent Secretaries and ministries/Department Focal Point officers.

This forum also included representatives from SPC-RRRT (Secretariat of the Pacific Community Pacific-Regional Rights Resources Team) and Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC).
2 6 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 7 The aim of the forum was to highlight on the combined effort from all ministries for the implementation of the National Gender Policy Framework.
FiJi WoMEN’s FEDERATioN The Ministry acknowledged DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Australian Aid funded Pacific Women Program for its support towards the implementation of the National Gender Policy through the provision of a Gender Advisor who worked closely with the Ministry team to finalize the National Gender Policy Implementation Framework.
PS Dr. Josefa Koroivueta & Mr. Glen Davies with participants during a National Gender Policy Forum Activity 3: international Women’s Day Celebration 2015 The Annual Event celebration was attended by members of Parliament, Heads of missions, Permanent Secretary’s, Women NGO’s and Stakeholders with the theme: “Make It Happen” which encouraged effective action for advancing and recognizing women.

Key messages were delivered by the Speaker of the House, Hon.
Dr. Jiko Fatafehi Luveni and Honorable Attorney General and Minister for Finance, Public Enterprises, Public Service and Communication, Mr. Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum.

The UN theme for the International Women’s Day 2015 was “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!”.

It envisions a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination.
The 2015 International Women’s Day was celebrated with two senior citizens from the Samabula Citizens home.

Hon.

Dr. Jiko Luveni, Hon.

Rosy S. Akbar & Hon.

Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum with Senior citizens from Samabula Citizens Home cuts the cake to mark the celebration of the event.

Activity 4: Paralegal Training 2015 The Ministry facilitated a 2 day training attended by 38 women across the 4 divisions.
Number of Participants by Age Range 61-70 51-60 41-50 30-40 1 8 9 19 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 The Fiji Women’s Federation was established in 1999 as an extension for Department of Women.

The major function of FWF Advisory Committee is to advice the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation on Public Service Policy, Programs, Legislation and other emerging issues that impact women and gender.
Activity 1: official opening of Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) Women Extension Centre (WEC): The Department officially opened 3 women resource centers and one women’s extension center with the aim to provide women groups in the community space to conduct income generating projects and allow them to conduct women’s group meetings.
Activity 2: Monitoring of opened Women Resource and Extension Centre: The Department continued to monitor 35 Resource Centre and Extension Centres across the four divisions to gauge its impact and also determine gaps identified by Women’s Group which will be opportunities for improvement.
Activity 3: skills Training for Core Product Development: Six (6) skills training were provided to women’s group in the Western Division who managed the resource centres and extension centres to further train their members with proper knowledge and skills.

Each WRC and WEC has been introduced with concept of one Product one Centre.

This is to ensure that each woman’s group in each of the centers concentrates on specific products from available local resources that will assist them to generate income.
Activity 4: india Donates 300 sewing machine: 300 sewing machines were presented to the Ministry by the Government of India.

The donated machines will assist the women to learn sewing skills and also earn income for their families.

Activity 5: Distribution of sewing Machines: 240 sewing machines were distributed to women’s group and individuals across the 4 divisions in 2015.
These machines would assist women to sew clothing for themselves, their families and as well as the community and provides opportunity for income generation.
Activity 6: sewing and sewing Machine Maintenance Training: The Department continued to conduct 18 sewing skills and sewing machine maintenance training across the four divisions to enhance women’s knowledge and skills on pattern cutting and stitching as well and sewing machine maintenance Activity 7: Grants to Non-Governmental organizations 2015: Six (6) Women NGO’s were provided with Grants to further strengthened their roles and functions to provide better services to their members.
The six women’s NGOs consist of Fiji Muslim Women’s League, Shrest Mother’s Club, Catholic Women’s League, Shree Sanatan Dharam Nari Sabha, Soqosoqo Vakamarama and Nasalia Women’s Group.

Through the NGO Grant, government strengthens coordination, implementation and monitoring of poverty alleviation programmes including Partnership agreement between Government, the civil society and the private sector.
2 6 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 7 2 7 In this Section: ▶ Poverty Monitoring Unit ▶ Poverty Monitoring Unit ▶ Monitoring, Evaluating and Reporting on the implementation of INPEP ▶ Poverty Information Centre ▶ Poverty Reduction Awareness Campaigns 2 8 Dr. Josefa Koroivueta with Chief Guest Hon.
Inia Seruiratu at the Ministry of I’taukei Affairs M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 9 4.0 Poverty Monitoring Unit The Unit’s role is to monitor and report on the progress of Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) of Government implemented through the Integrated National Poverty Eradication Programme (INPEP) Framework to contribute towards Government’s commitment in Reducing Poverty to a Negligible Level by 2020.
In the 2015 budget announcement, the Poverty Monitoring Unit was transferred to the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation where it was initially established in 2003.

The year 2015 was a transitional period for the Unit from the Office of The Prime Minister with a total of 13 staff who adjusted well to the new organization culture.
4.1 Monitoring, Evaluating and Reporting on the implementation of INPEP A total of the twenty-one (21) Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) within the Ministry were identified, project sites and beneficiaries selected were made possible through consultation with Department of Social Welfare, Department of Women and Divisional Commissioners.
Following the monitoring and evaluation exercise, reports and policy briefs were generated to provide feedback to the Honourable Minister for Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation on the performance and impact of Poverty Alleviation Programmes monitored.

Twenty-one (21) programmes monitored for the agency (Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation): 1.

2.

3.
2.

3.

Grant to Girls Home Fiji National Council of Disabled Persons Gender Equality and Reproductive Rights (UNFPA) Capital Grants to Voluntary organizations 4.

5.

Welfare Graduation Programme 6.

7.

Fire Victims Relief Poverty Benefit Scheme Bus Fare Subsidy (Elderly/Disability) Child Protection Allowance 8.

9.

10.

Social Pension Scheme 11.

National Council of Older Persons 12.

Food Voucher Programme 13.

Volunteer Marriage Counseling Allowance 14.

Community Work Programme 15.


Child Protection Programme 16.

Child Protection Programme (UNICEF) 17.

Women’s Plan of Action 18.

NGO Grants 19.

Voluntary Contribution to UN Women 20.

Fiji Women’s Federation 21.

Fiji National Women’s Expo Ms. Tuimuru of PMU interview an Elderly Busfare recipient at Nadi Welfare Office Mr. Joeli Vueti of Poverty Monitoring Unit visits one of the Canteen projects under Welfare Graduation Programme.
4.2 Poverty Information Centre The Poverty Information Centre stores information and data regarding Poverty Alleviation Programme across Government.

The Unit continues to update its Poverty Information Centre through consultation with programme implementers within the Ministry and other Government Agencies.
100% 2 8 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 9 4.3 Poverty Reduction Awareness Campaigns: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) Observance of IDEP is traced back to October 17, 1987.
On this day a commemorative stone was unveiled in Paris, France, engraved with words ‘…that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that this rights are respected…’.

Commemorative stones have since then being replicated and unveiled around the world to serve as a convergence point every October 17th.

Thus, all people from all backgrounds, beliefs and social origin would gather to renew their commitment and show of solidarity with the poor.
The 2015 IDEP theme: “Building a Sustainable Future: Coming together to end poverty and discrimination” the event was commemorated at Dawasamu District School, Tailevu from 25th to 27th November with the aim to: ▶ ▶ ▶ Create awareness on Poverty Alleviation Programmes in Fiji Access to services for rural communities Foster partnership with stakeholders working together with the aim to reduce poverty Highlights of the Programme: • Participation more than 40 Stakeholders including; Government Ministries, NGOs, Financial institutions, Tertiary institutions, Business Houses, Women’s Group and the Vanua.
934 people from nine (9) villages in the Tikina of Dawasamu and nearby villages of the Province of Ra accessed information available at the event.

Twenty (20) individuals attended financial literacy training facilitated by ANZ and at the end of the training the participants were awarded with Certificates of Participation.

Five (5) court marriages conducted by the Births, Deaths & Marriage.

• • • Permanent Secretary, Dr. Josefa Koroivueta with Chief Guest Hon.
Inia Seruiratu at the Ministry of I’taukei Affairs.

PMU Team during consultation with DPO Central (Mr. Bacau) to identify IDEP Venue for 2015.

PMU Team during a consultation with GM Marketing at FBC.

2015 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty ADO Korovou, Mr. Baledrokadroka during Agency presentation at the IDEP Venue.

2015 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP Event).
DO Korovou, Mr. Waqanidrola presenting Certificate of Participation to a participant of Financial Literacy Training at Dawasamu District School during the Commemoration of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
3 0 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 3 1 In this Section: ▶ Corporate Services Department ▶ Human Resource Management and Administrative Services ▶ Accounts Section 3 0 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T Members of Ministry’s Team at Project Meeting 3 1 5.0 Corporate Services Department The Ministry’s Corporate Services Department comprises of the human resource management and administrative services and financial services for the proficient and operative performance of the Ministry’s daily operational functions.
5.1 Human Resource Management and Administrative Services The Ministry adheres to standard HR Policies as stipulated by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The Ministry’s standard process is aligned to the recruitment policy of the PSC.

This process sets a guideline to ensure the Ministry recruits meritorious candidates with appropriate skills to jobs available within the Organization.
As for Staff distribution, of the total 290 Staff, 165 Established Staff, 80 Project Officers and 45 Government Wage Earners.

During the year there were 92 Appointments, 3 Discipline Cases, 3 Termination, 4 Resignation and 2 Transfers.

The Ministry continued to identify short and long term courses according to the training needs of Staff to address skills and knowledge gaps at individual and organization level.

Staffs are required to attend a maximum of 3 trainings annually.
In addition to training, Officers are given opportunities: ▶ To act on higher positions ▶ To represent their Department/Unit is meetings and consultations ▶ To be part of Ministry’s decision making process ▶ Staff rotation The Administration section is also responsible in the following areas: Registry • Asset management (Annual Board of Survey) • • Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) • Ministry Service Excellence Awards Night 5.2 Accounts Section The Accounts Section carries out its key responsibilities through the following: 5.2.1 Management of payments (accounting and financial function) through: Payment to Social Welfare beneficiaries and service providers Closing of 2015 Accounts • • • Meeting financial requirements of the Ministry 5.2.2 3 2 Compliance and Monitoring • Adhering to financial regulations through provision of Financial Statement to Ministry of Finance (salary reconciliation, petty cash and bank reconciliation, IDC and Drawings) Adapting to Ministry of Finance instructions through Finance Circulars Attend to Audit queries • • M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 3 3 Min istry o f Wo men, Children & Pov er ty Al l ev i at ion Financial Statements and Reports for the year ended 31 December 2015 3 2 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 3 3 MINISTRy OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTy ALLEVIATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS INDEPENDENT AUDIT
 REPORT..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4 STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE.......................................................................................................................................................................................5 APPROPRIATION STATEMENT.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................6 STATEMENT OF LOSSES..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7 NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...................................................................................................................................................8 3 4 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 3 5 3 MINISTRy OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTy ALLEVIATION MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE FOR THE yEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER
 2015 We certify that these special purpose financial statements: (a) fairly reflect the financial operations and performance of the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and its financial position for the year ended 31 December 2015; and (b) have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Financial Management Act 2004 and the Finance Instructions 2010.
Dr. Josefa Koroivueta Permanent Secretary Mr. Umeshwar Ram Principal Accountant Date: .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

0 3/05/16 Date: .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
03/05/16 4 3 6 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 3 7 MINISTRy OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTy ALLEVIATION STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 RECEIPTS State Revenue Agency Revenue TOTAL RECEIPTS EXPENDITURE Operating Expenditure Established Staff Unestablished Staff Travel & Communication Maintenance & Operations Purchase of Goods & Services Operating Grants & Transfers Special Expenditure Total Operating Expenditure Capital Expenditure Capital Construction Grants & Transfers Total Capital Expenditure Value Added Tax Total Expenditure 2015 $ 4,184 145,982 150,166 4,730,371 858,260 299,153 676,022 536,029 34,430,776 1,332,263 42,862,874 - 848,973 849,973 221,521 43,933,368 2014 $ 1,367 16,227 17,594 3,711,554 603,724 252,441 811,647 629,534 27,656,516 490,396 34,155,812 235,520 902,037 1,137,557 241,463 35,534,832 Notes 3 (a) 3 (b) 3 (c) 3 (d) 3 (e) 3 (f) 3 (g) 3 (h) 3 (i) 3 ( j) 5 3 6 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 3 7 MINISTRy OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTy ALLEVIATION APPROPRIATION STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 Budget Estimate Appropriation Changes (Note 4) Revised Estimate Actual Expenditure Lapsed Appropriation SEG ITEM Established Staff Unestablished Staff Travel & Communication Maintenance & Operations Purchase of Goods & Services Operating Grants & Transfers Special Expenditure Total Operating Costs Capital Expenditure 10 Capital Grants & Transfers Total Capital Expenditure 13 Value Added Tax $ 4,926,504 445,099 292,700 643,200 655,600 34,940,000 1,648,000 43,551,103 800,000 800,000 461,045 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 44,812,148 $ (196,117)
 413,181 9,450 38,729 (118,079) (75,214) (141,950) (70,000) $ $ 4,730,387 4,730,371 858,280 302,150 681,929 537,521 858,260 299,153 676,022 536,029 34,864,786 34,430,776 1,506,050 1,332,263 43,481,103 42,862,874 70,000 70,000 870,000 870,000 848,973 848,973 $ 16 20 2,997 5,907 1,492 434,010 173,787 618,229 21,027 21,027 - - 461,045 221,521 239,524 44,812,148 43,933,368 878,780 6 3 8 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 3 9 MINISTRy OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTy ALLEVIATION STATEMENT OF LOSSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 Loss of Money There was no loss of money recorded in 2015.
Loss (other than money) There was no loss of fixed assets recorded for the year 2015.

However, following the 2015 Board of Survey, the items worth $20,892 were written off by the Permanent Secretary for Finance.
3 8 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 3 9 7 MINISTRy OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTy ALLEVIATION NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 NOTE 1: REPORTING ENTITy The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is overseas two of Government’s most important Departments: the Department of Social Welfare and the Department of Women.
The Department of Social Welfare administers Fiji’s recently-reformed social welfare programs, which include the Poverty Benefit Scheme, the Child Protection Allowance, the Food Voucher Program, the Social Pension Scheme and the Bus Fare Subsidy.

In managing these programs, the Department is responsible for ensuring that aid flows to those who need it the most, while stamping out corruption and fraud in the system.
The Department is equally committed to ensuring that these programs do not create a culture of dependency, focusing efforts and energy on graduating individuals and families from “welfare to workfare”.

The Department also has the statutory responsibility to ensure the protection and wellbeing of children, which includes managing juvenile centres.
The Department of Women is responsible for providing Fijian women and girls, particularly those in rural communities, with the skills and education they need to participate as equal members in society.

It works to provide the necessary support to enable them to bring about positive changes for themselves, for their families and for their communities.
This mission is underscored in the National Women’s Plan of Action, which is aimed at boosting women,s employment opportunities, increasing women’s participation in decision making, eliminating violence against women, improving women’s access to basic services, and addressing women’s issues in new legislation.

The Department works with other Ministries to ensure that gender perspectives are addressed in all Government policies and initiatives and to promote gender equality.
NOTE 2: STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (a) Basis of Accounting In accordance with Government accounting policies, the financial statements of the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is prepared on cash basis of accounting.

All payments related to purchases of fixed assets have been expensed.

The financial statements are presented in accordance with the Financial Management Act 2004 and the requirements of Section 71(1) of the Finance Instruction 2010.
The preparation and presentation of a Statement of Assets and Liabilities is not required under the current Government policies, except for that of the Trading and Manufacturing Accounts.
8 4 0 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 4 1 MINISTRy OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTy ALLEVIATION NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 NOTE 2: STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES Cont’d (b) Accounting for Value Added Tax (VAT) All income and expenses are VAT exclusive.
The Ministry on a monthly basis takes out VAT output on total money received for expenditure from Ministry of Finance.

VAT input on the other hand is claimed on payments made to the suppliers and the sub-contractors for expenses incurred.

The VAT payment as per the Statement of Receipts and Expenditures relates to VAT input claimed on payments made to the suppliers and sub-contractors for expenses incurred and VAT payments to FRCA.
Actual amount paid to FRCA during the year represent the difference between VAT Output and VAT Input.

(c) Comparative Figures Where necessary, amounts relating to prior years have been reclassified to facilitate comparison and achieve consistency in disclosure with current year amounts.

(d) Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognised when actual cash are received by the Ministry.
NOTE 3: SIGNIFICANT VARIATIONS a) The Total Revenue increased by $132,571 from $17,594 in 2014 to $150,165 in 2015 mainly due to increase in Miscellaneous Revenue.

The increase in miscellaneous revenue was due to refund allowances for welfare beneficiaries as a result of closed or invalid bank accounts.
b) The Established Staff costs increased by $1,018,817 or 27% in 2015 compared to 2014 as a result of increase in staff establishment from 158 in 2014 to 179 in 2015, increase in FNPF employer contribution from 8% to 10%, transfer of Poverty Monitoring Unit from the Office of the Prime Minister to the Ministry and leave compensation pay-out.
c) The Unestablished Staff costs increased by $254,536 or 42% in 2015 compared to 2014 due to the appointment of 19 temporary relieving officers and the increase in FNPF employer contribution from 8% to 10%.

d) The Travel and Communications costs increased by $73,223 or 40.9% in 2014 compared to 2013 due to the increase in operational activities of the Ministry such as introduction of paymaster visit to remote areas, Ministerial visits and consultations and Program Managers Meetings.
9 4 0 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 4 1 NOTE 3: SIGNIFICANT VARIATIONS Cont’d e) The Maintenance and Operations costs decreased by $135,625 or 17% in 2015 compared to 2014 due to various cost cutting measures taken by the Ministry mainly in utility charges, office supplies and vehicle running cost.
f) The Purchase of Goods and Services costs decreased by $93,505 or 15% in 2015 compared to 2014 due to decline in commission charges.
The decline in commission charges was due to November and December commission charges borne from SLG 85 due to budget run-out for commission charges, the Ministry of Finance provided additional funds in SLG 84. g) The Operating Grants and Transfers costs increased by $6,774,260 or 25% in 2015 compared to 2014 due to the introduction of Expanded Food Voucher Program for pregnant mothers in rural areas and increase in the number of recipients for the Poverty Benefit Scheme, Social Pension Scheme and Care and Protection Scheme.
h) The Special Expenditure increased by $841,867 of 172% in 2015 compared to 2014 due to the implementation of new programs such as Child Helpline, Integrated National Poverty Eradication Programme, Volunteer Marriage Counselling and Fiji National Women’s Expo.

i) No Capital Construction budget was provided in 2015. j) The Capital Grants and Transfers costs decreased by $53,064 or 6% in 2015 compared to 2014 due to slight decrease in capital grants to voluntary organisation.
10 4 2 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 4 3 MINISTRy OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND POVERTy ALLEVIATION NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 NOTE 4: DETAILS OF APPRORIATION ON CHANGES There were no redeployments of the Ministry’s funds during the year.
Other movements were made through virements as follows: Virement Number From V24001 V24002 V24003 V24004 V24005 V24006 V24007 V24008 V24009 V24010 V24011 V24012 V24013 V24014 V24015 V24016 V24001 V24002 V24003 SEG 6 SEG 6 SEG 5 SEG 5 SEG 5 SEG 5 SEG 4 SEG 6 SEG 4 SEG 3 SEG 3 SEG 5 SEG 6 SEG 6 SEG 5 SEG 6 SEG 7 SEG 1 SEG 1 SEG 2 SEG 7 SEG 4 SEG 4 SEG 5 SEG 3 SEG 3 To SEG 4 SEG 10 SEG 3 SEG 3 SEG 4 SEG 4 SEG 4 SEG 10 SEG 3 SEG 4 SEG 4 SEG 4 SEG 6 SEG 6 SEG 3 SEG 6 SEG 2 SEG 1 SEG 2 SEG 2 SEG 2 SEG 1 SEG 1 SEG 1 SEG 1 SEG 1 Amount ($) 5,214.00 20,000.00 8,750.00 8,750.00 6,768.00 4,000.00 1,000.00 50,000.00 1,435.00 3,530.00 6,476.00 50,000.00 223,471.23 794,885.67 13,487.00 40,035.00 79,983.00 159,887.00 271,231.00 17,544.00 61,967.00 11,617.00 24,207.00 26,324.00 6,158.00 6,808.00 11 4 2 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T 4 3 Acronyms ADCS ADFS AO (PPU) AO (SW) AO (W) CO DPMU DSW DW EO (T) EPO Assistant Director Child Services Assistant Director Family Services Administration officer (Post Processing Unit) Accounts Officer (Social Welfare) Accounts Officer (Women) Clerical Officer Director Poverty Monitoring Unit Director Social Welfare Director Women Executive Officer (Training) Economic Planning Officer PAS – Corporate / HRM Principal Assistant Secretary – Corporate PAS – Finance Principal Assistant Secretary – Finance PEPO PRO PS PWO (N) PWO (W) RO SAS SEPO SRO Principle Economic Planning Officer Principal Research Officer Permanent Secretary Principal Welfare Officer (Northern) Principal Welfare Officer (Western) Research Officer Senior Assistant Secretary Senior Economic Planning Officer Senior Research Officer SWIO (CEDAW) Senior Women Interest Officer (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) SWIO (L) SWIO (R) SWIO (WPA) SWO (C) SWO (IS) SWO (NW) SWO (P) SWO (R) SWO (SE) SWO (SW)
 Senior Women Interest Officer (Livelihood) Senior Women Interest Officer (Research) Senior Women Interest Officer (Women Plan of Action) Senior Welfare Officer (Central) Senior Welfare Officer Senior Welfare Officer (North West) Senior Welfare Officer Senior Welfare Officer (Research) Senior Welfare Officer (South East) Senior Welfare Officer (South West) 4 4 M I N I S T R Y O F W O M E N , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | , C H I L D R E N & P O V E R T Y A L L E V I A T I O N | 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T