Fijian Women Forge New Path in Renewable Energy, Tackling Regional Challenges
A groundbreaking initiative by a group of Fijian women is making waves across the Pacific, not only for achieving a significant regional milestone but also for its potential to address critical energy and emigration challenges. This month, a team comprised entirely of female engineering students, solar technicians, and managers from the University of the South Pacific successfully installed an off-grid solar power system, bringing much-needed electricity to a remote Fijian school.
The Ratu Naivalu Memorial School, located on Waya Island, will now benefit from renewable energy powering its four school buildings, ten teachers’ homes, and three hostels. This project marks the 70th installation by the Its Time Foundation, an organisation supported by Australian foreign aid, dedicated to bringing electricity to underserved areas of Fiji. However, this particular endeavour stands out as the first to be executed by an all-female crew, a feat believed to be a first for the region.
Rob Edwards, founder of the Its Time Foundation, expressed his immense pride in the team’s accomplishment, calling it “one of the coolest things that we’ve done in our 15 years.” He further lauded their performance, stating, “And they absolutely hit it out of the ballpark.”
One of the students involved, Sereana Cabemaiwai, shared the profound impact of the project on her. “Knowing what I did, what I contributed to, will contribute to kids’ lives in Ratu Naivalu, it’s emotional for me,” she said. The experience has also solidified her career aspirations. “Having the experience we just had, I’m really more inclined to work in renewable energy now, more than ever.”
The challenges faced by Fiji in encouraging women to enter trades and technical fields mirror those experienced in Australia. Fiona Dace-Lynn, a director at the Canberra Institute of Technology, observed the high levels of satisfaction among the women who participated in the Waya Island project. She noted a common sentiment: “One of the things they said was they felt comfortable to be able to make mistakes, to test things, and ask questions.” This contrasts with environments where women might be the sole female presence on a job site, potentially limiting their confidence and willingness to engage fully.
The success of this all-female crew was celebrated at a recent conference in Suva, which brought together numerous renewable energy professionals and engineers. Funding organisations, including donor nations like Australia and New Zealand, along with the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank, are actively seeking to support solar projects in less developed parts of the Pacific.
Ms. Dace-Lynn highlighted a significant additional benefit of upskilling women in these technical fields: improved workforce retention. Pacific nations often struggle with the “brain drain” phenomenon, where skilled workers, particularly young men, are attracted to more lucrative labour markets in wealthier countries, including through guest worker programs in Australia and New Zealand.
“Because women have a caring obligation as well, it’s less likely that women will leave,” Ms. Dace-Lynn explained. This suggests that investing in women’s technical skills can create a more stable and committed local workforce. “It’s absolutely perfect to engage this workforce. This is where their family are, where their parents are, and quite often they have children as well.”
Mr. Edwards remains optimistic about securing continued funding following “good conversations with some multilaterals and some others” during the Suva conference. He expressed hope for further scaling of these impactful projects in the near future.
This initiative not only illuminates a remote Fijian school but also casts a bright light on the potential of empowering women in technical roles. By providing opportunities and fostering supportive environments, the project serves as a powerful model for addressing regional development needs, from energy access to economic stability, by tapping into the often-underutilised talent pool of female workers. The success on Waya Island is a testament to the capabilities of these women and a hopeful glimpse into a more sustainable and equitable future for the Pacific.
