Efforts to get more Pacific women into science and energy careers must go hand in hand with challenging deep-rooted gender norms that continue to limit their choices, says Tara Chetty, Deputy Director of the Human Rights and Social Development Division at the Pacific Community (SPC).
“I think when it comes to addressing the gap or the absence of girls moving into these spaces to become women leaders and take the leadership in these fields, it’s all resting on the same problematic social norms,” she said.
“These are the same norms which allow things like violence against women and gender-based violence to exist to such a large extent in our communities. Addressing those gender norms will also help address some of the barriers that lie in the path of girls.”
She acknowledged the Pacific’s strong regional commitments to gender equality, including the Pacific Leaders’ Gender Equality Declaration and the Pacific Platform for Action on Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights.
“All of our governments – which are home to our utilities – have signed on to these. But making them real requires very specific and often community-based approaches,” she said.
Ms Chetty called for deeper investment in education-based interventions, citing efforts to make school curricula more inclusive and grounded in Pacific culture.
“School-based interventions are also being undertaken when it comes to transforming social norms. Helping kids think about concepts of fairness and equality, grounded in our own Pacific cultural stories.
“I don’t think there’s any one simple solution from a regional perspective. It really is about making sure scholarships are available, introducing girls to science, and ensuring safe and equitable workplaces – because that benefits everyone.”
