UNDER the ambit of the Inclusive Climate Action for Fiji (ICAF) Project, efforts are in progress to address gender disparities within Fiji’s construction sector.
Rotary Pacific Water for Life Foundation (RPW) executive director Neil Maharaj said this initiative aimed to enhance plumbing skills specifically tailored for women, fostering inclusivity and promoting gender equality in traditionally male-dominated fields.
“In our research we find that people are frequently highlighting the concerns about gender inclusivity within the construction sector,” Mr Maharaj said.
“And indeed, we found that this field (construction sector) is a male dominated one.”
To address this gap the Foundation made sure their ICAF project undertake a training initiative as a proactive step towards narrowing the gender gap.
“So, 16 women from the Fiji National University (FNU) will be trained for a period of two months.
“They will undergo plumbing skills, construction skills, understanding the different ways to use the tools and machines that are out there.”
He said the goal was to empower these women with market-relevant skills that enhance their employability.
“By investing in training and education, we aim to create pathways for women to enter and succeed in traditionally male-dominated professions, like the construction sector.”
He said most activities and training initiatives were strategically dispersed throughout Viti Levu, ensuring widespread access and participation.
Through partnerships with education institutions such as Nature Fiji MaraqetiViti and Fiji Disabled Peoples and engagement with local stakeholders, the project endeavours to create a supportive environment conducive to gender inclusivity and professional growth in the construction sector.
“As we advance, we anticipate these efforts will contribute significantly towards achieving gender equality within the construction industry,” Mr Maharaj said.
“We mainly deal with the construction sector because when we talk about building water and sanitation systems it includes construction, plumbing, engineering, welding and more.
“So it becomes our responsibility to ensure that any and everyone can play a part in the construction sector.”
