The recently launched Women in Tech Fiji Chapter represents a significant advancement for women engaged in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) within the Pacific region. At the launch event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica, referred to the occasion as a landmark moment for both women’s representation in technology and the broader economic landscape of Fiji.
Kamikamica emphasized the necessity to confront the existing gender disparity in STEM, citing that globally, only 31 percent of STEM researchers are women, and women hold merely one in eight executive roles in this sector. He expressed the critical need to foster an environment where women are not only participants in the tech industry but can take on leadership roles.
Highlighting the contributions of the ICT sector to the Fijian economy, Kamikamica shared that in 2022, this sector accounted for approximately 4.14 percent of the nation’s GDP. He noted that globally, the ICT services sector is growing at twice the rate of other industries and is creating jobs at six times that of the broader economy.
To enhance digital inclusion, Kamikamica pointed to initiatives like the Girls in ICT program, which has provided coding and problem-solving training to 55 students from Vunimono High School. He also mentioned the recent release of the National Digital Strategy 2025–2030, which aims to prepare Fiji as a cyber-resilient, digitally savvy society. This strategy includes plans to improve connectivity in underserved areas and provide digital literacy training to around 100,000 vocational technology assistants over the next three years.
Additionally, Fiji’s participation in the upcoming Women in Tech Global Summit in Osaka, Japan, later this month marks another significant step towards aligning with international best practices and building new partnerships to enhance Fiji’s digital future.
This initiative aligns closely with other recent efforts to promote gender diversity in tech, such as KPMG Fiji’s workshop titled “IT’s Her Future,” which aimed to inspire young women to explore technology careers. These combined efforts reflect a growing recognition of the importance of women’s contributions to technological advancement and the economy, contributing to a more equitable and progressive society.
The initiatives being rolled out present a hopeful outlook for the future of women in technology and leadership within Fiji, ultimately steering the nation toward greater inclusivity and empowerment in the STEM fields.
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