3 May 2012

Financial illiteracy biggest issue for women on Nauru

12:19 pm on 3 May 2012

Financial education has emerged as an urgent need for women during recent consultations on how to economically empower women on Nauru.

The two-day national consultations are part of a Smaller Island States project managed by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to improve gender equality.

The director of the University of the South Pacific Centre on Nauru says work opportunities for women are limited and mostly involves selling produce or drinks.

Alamanda Lauti says most Nauruan women don't know how to use a computer.

"The key strategy is training. So we've said that to conduct an ongoing financial literacy training for women in business. And this would be based on donor funding."

Alamanda Lauti says the fact that there are no banks or insurance companies on Nauru is a big challenge for women wanting to go into business.