While women in the Pacific are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, they are also at the forefront of solutions in their communities.
A shining example is Salote Tadokai, Fiji’s first female assistant trainer in the Certificate III in Sustainable Boat Building course at the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Development (CATD) in Nadave.
Salote, an alumna of the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), holds Australian qualifications in International Skills Training and TVET trainer and assessor courses. These have enhanced her teaching skills, enabling her to effectively share her knowledge at CATD.
A mother of six from Naikawaga Village, Namara, Tailevu, Salote attributes her success to “determination and hard work.”
Her journey began at the Suva Vocational Centre and a 2003 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) workshop for village fisherwomen, where she built her first fishing canoe with her trainer’s support.
This ignited her passion for boat building, leading her to co-facilitate a second fishing canoe workshop for nine village women in Dromuninuku, Vanua Levu.
Salote believes the boat-building course at CATD, supported by APTC, will significantly impact communities accessing fisheries for their livelihoods.
“Graduates will benefit greatly, as will their communities. The ability to build and repair boats will enhance their capacity to fish and generate income,” she said.
As a trainer, Salote is proud to help local youth gain boat-building skills, further strengthening the community’s resilience.
“This course is about more than just building boats—it’s about building the future of our community. By gaining the skills to construct and repair boats, we empower our communities to sustain their livelihoods and adapt to the changing climate. I’m proud to be part of this journey.”
Salote hopes more women will join the Certificate III in Sustainable Boat Building course. “The school has mostly male-dominated courses, but we are seeing more female students enrol. I encourage more women to join,” she added.
Salote serves as a role model for aspiring boatbuilders, including Arieta Rokotagici Radivatulau, the only woman in the current cohort of 12 students.
Arieta travels daily by boat from Bau Island to attend classes at CATD.
“I’m grateful to be part of this course so I can help my village have climate-resilient boats and repair the damaged ones.”
This boat-building course, which CATD and APTC have submitted for accreditation, addresses the urgent need for sustainable practices and empowers youth to lead in combating the impacts of climate change.
CATD Director, Aporosa Silatolu, acknowledged APTC’s invaluable support.
“This is revolutionary. The hands-on experience with modern, sustainable materials and technologies will have a profound impact when students return to their villages,” he said.