Financial Management

Lily saves half of her earnings and uses the rest for household expenses. Her financial discipline allows her to invest in transportation services and expand her business. However, maintaining these services became challenging after her husband's passing due to physical limitations. She dreams of owning a vehicle again to transport her produce to Honiara Central Market, saving on freight and fares that currently eat into her sales. “My biggest expense is the transportation costs, and I am still learning new ways to maintain my transportation services.”  

Additionally, Lily manages her business by saving half of her earnings and using the rest for household expenses like soap, sugar, tea, and rice. Her income varies day by day, but she typically earns at least $300 and that is more than enough for her to continue to operate her market stall.

Family-Centered Approach

Lily prioritizes caring for her grandchildren while managing her market duties. Her commitment to family shows her strong sense of responsibility. Her biggest challenge is balancing her market duties with caring for her grandchildren, leading her to visit the market only twice a week. During off-seasons or when her main crops aren't ready, she sells alternative items like dry coconut or leaves used for traditional ovens to maintain her market business, and also earn income for the family.

Lifelong Learning

Despite lacking formal financial training, Lily actively participates in the Money Minded Training program. Her willingness to learn demonstrates openness to growth and improvement. She prioritizes coming to the market four to six days a month to meet her family's needs. She is privileged to participate in the Money Minded Training facilitated by ANZ Bank through the M4C Project. “I have learnt better management practices for her small market business, and I look forward to going back to improve on how to manage my income.”

Community Engagement

Lily’s involvement in the market contributes to her community’s well-being. She plays a vital role in providing fresh produce and supporting local livelihoods. Her story of resilience, resourcefulness, financial security, family focus, commitment to learning, and community impact are qualities that showcases the positive traits of how she has grown as a person and as a businesswoman. She demonstrates the power of economically investing in women as its benefits has ripple effect on individual lives, families, businesses and connects to the community and nation.

The Markets for Change (M4C) project aims to promote gender equality by economically empowering women market vendors in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Samoa. This project, brings together various stakeholders, offers financial literacy training that connects vendors and farmers with essential service providers. This sharing of information, raising awareness, and networking opportunities have the potential to improve the livelihoods of market vendors and their families.

The Markets for Change Project contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the M4C project directly contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 5 on Gender Equality, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 10 on reducing inequalities, and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. The project ensures equality and economic empowerment for all, including men, women, youth, people with disabilities, and marginalized minority groups.

The M4C project is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and with support from the Government of Australia. Together, they are making a real difference in the lives of women like Lily, whose resilience and commitment contribute to sustainable economic growth in rural communities across Honiara, Solomon Islands.

For more information, please contact: 

Jilgina Kimisi, Project Associate, M4C Project on jilgina.kimisi@undp.org and Vilisi Veibataki, Markets for Change Project Manager, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | vilisi.veibataki@undp.org | +679 3227701