Transcript
ANNA PARINI: For us it's a matter of getting together at least once a year to learn from each other the differences, especially around policies and governance in operations. In the markets, there is a lot to learn from each other about the by-laws, about the rules and the politics active in each country or about, for example, the collection of fees or in the structure of fee collection. So it's an exposure for us that we would like to offer to the three countries and also a cross fertilisation experience; learning from most of the mistakes, see how crowded or clean or dirty a marketplace is and offer a solution that comes from another's country. There is the opportunity for them to get outside their country and see something that works in a different way so I think it's an opportunity for them to be more aware of what is going on in other parts of the Pacific and bring them back home to improve the lives of the vendors.
DOMINIC GODFREY: And these vendors are predominantly women.
AP: Between 75 and 90 percent across the three countries with of course local differences.
DG: Can you give me some direct examples of improvements that have been made from last year to this year?
AP: Some of the improvements are related to the construction of accommodation centres, a safe place for women to stay overnight, especially targeting the rural market vendors and farmers that are coming to the market for three or four days. They are from very far, from rural communities, bringing the produce and usually, well in the past, they used to sleep in the street around the market or under the table of the market to be close to their produce and not lose their spot. Through the implementation of the project and the work that we have done with the local councils, they open up and see the need of a safe space for them so we urged them to build accommodation centres for women to be able to sleep in a safe, healthy and decent place. Also, some budget consultation which the market vendor association has been involved, they seek out the management of the market, the local council. They can provide recommendations for what are the needs for people at the markets. For example, more conveniences, more water. Also to keep open the market up to late or having the vendors of grog placed outside because it can create social tension due to drunk people at night.
DG: So this is each of the local councils? This is specific to say Nadi or Lautoka or any particular council?
AP: Yes.
DG: Okay. Now also, markets are of course cash economies, they rely upon the exchange of goods for cash. How about security of women's money at these markets?
AP: We're working with the police force in the markets to improve the condition of that.
