Women in the Pacific region face heightened vulnerabilities to climate change, yet they are also leading efforts to create solutions within their communities. A notable example is Salote Tadokai, who has become Fiji’s first female assistant trainer for the Certificate III in Sustainable Boat Building at the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Development (CATD) in Nadave, Tailevu.
Salote, a graduate of the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), possesses Australian qualifications in International Skills Training alongside TVET trainer and assessor courses. These credentials have empowered her to effectively convey her expertise at CATD.
A mother of six from Naikawaga Village, Namara in Tailevu, Salote attributes her achievements to “determination and hard work.” Her journey commenced at the Suva Vocational Centre and was significantly influenced by a 2003 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) workshop aimed at empowering village fisherwomen, where she created her first fishing canoe with guidance from her trainer.
This experience ignited her passion for boat building, leading her to co-facilitate another workshop, specifically for nine women from the village of Dromuninuku in Vanua Levu.
Salote believes the boat-building program at CATD, backed by APTC, will offer considerable benefits to communities reliant on 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 stated.
As a trainer, Salote takes pride in equipping local youth with boat-building skills, thereby bolstering the community’s resilience. “This course is more than just building boats—it’s about constructing the future of our community. By acquiring the skills to create and maintain boats, we empower our communities to sustain their livelihoods and adapt to the changing climate. I’m proud to be a part of this journey,” she expressed.
Salote encourages more women to enroll in the Certificate III in Sustainable Boat Building course, indicating a positive trend as more female students begin to participate in what has traditionally been male-dominated programs. “I urge more women to join,” she added.
She has become a source of inspiration for budding boat builders, including Arieta Rokotagici Radivatulau, the only woman among the current cohort of 12 students, who commutes 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,” Arieta shared.
The boat-building course, which is currently pending accreditation through CATD and APTC, addresses the pressing need for sustainable practices and empowers the youth to take an active role in mitigating climate change effects. Aporosa Silatolu, director of CATD, lauded APTC’s essential support. “This is revolutionary. The hands-on experience with modern, sustainable materials and technologies will profoundly impact students when they return to their villages,” he remarked.