Four Pacific women have been given Queen’s Young Leader awards for their work dealing with social issues in their countries.

The awards, now in their third year, celebrated exceptional people aged 18 to 29 from across the Commonwealth.

Climate change in Carteret Islands in Papua New Guinea was the focus for award recipient Johnetta Lili, who was working with people losing their land to rising waters.

Papua New Guinea’s Theresa Gizoria got an award for helping young mothers in tertiary education.

Another Pacific woman acknowledged for her community work was Solomon Islander Karrie Jionisi, who helps unemployed girls and single mothers learn new skills to help them find jobs.

In Tonga, Elizabeth Kite received an honorary award for her work on educational initiatives with youth and disabled people.

She currently teaches a braille class to students who are visually-impaired.

According to Ms Kite, there was a need to change perceptions towards disabled people in Tonga.

“There is quite a demand because there are quite a few people living with visual impairment,” she explained.

“Not many people know about it and I think a lot of it has to do with the taboo and just the attitude towards people with disabilities in general.

“They’re kind of just disregarded as capable human beings, so people don’t really see the need to educate them.”

Elizabeth Kite and the other three Queen’s Young Leader award recipients all spent a week in the United Kingdom for a residential program as part of the award.