A new space for market mums
March 23, 2026 11:29 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Hilaire Bule.
A short ceremony took place at Port Vila main market yesterday afternoon for the opening of transit home for the market vendors to breastfeed their babies.
The facility was founded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for VT1.5 million.
Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP based in Pacific Office in Fiji, Abduvakos Abdurahmanov, said they are happy to work in partnership with the Port Vila City Council (PVCC) and the association of market vendors, Silae Vanuae.
He said he is happy to see that there is life again at Port Vila main market following the damage caused by the earthquake.
“This a space is for market vendors to utilize while you are working for your kids,” he said.
Port Vila Town Clerk, Avio Roberts, thanked UNDP for its assistance to the mother vendors.
“This project is not only for the recovery after the earthquake but it is also about the dignity and welfare of the kids and their mothers while they are selling their products at the market. This completed the environment of the mothers,” said Mr. Avio.
A market mum told Daily Post that they are very happy for the assistance of the UNDP. She said mother vendors have already a space in the public toilet to change their babies but it was not hygienic.
“Most of the time, we only used mats under the table to breastfeed and to change our babies which is not safe for us but now a room where there is a bed so we can nicely feed our babies in a bed,” the mother said.
