Australia is empowering Fijian women and girls in science to break barriers by enhancing their capacity and supporting employment and leadership opportunities in renewable energy.
Through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) under its Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), these initiatives are equipping women with skills to power their communities, drive innovation and challenge gender norms in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
One such trailblazer is Vasiti Talakubu, a licensed electrician specialising in solar and renewable energy systems. For over a decade, she’s been working in the field, bringing sustainable energy solutions to remote communities that need it most across Fiji. Currently a technical specialist with Its Time Foundation, one of AIFFP-supported Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships that is piloting a sustainable solar energy model for Fiji’s remote school communities, she is proving that women belong in every corner of the STEM world.
Vasiti’s journey into the world of electrical installation and renewable energy wasn’t conventional. While many women in her community pursued careers as teachers or nurses, her mother hoped she would follow that same path. However, her uncle had a different idea - he encouraged her to pursue something unconventional for women at the time: becoming an electrician.
“Most of my school class pursued teaching and nursing after school, but I wanted to do something different,” Vasiti recalls. “I was determined to do something that would challenge me and allow me to make a real impact.”
After completing six months of theory and six months of practical training through Fiji’s Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji (TPAF), Vasiti because a licensed electrician. Her path, however, was far from easy. As she stepped into a male-dominated industry, she faced scepticism from people who didn’t believe a woman could perform such tasks.
“There were three other women in my class, but I rarely see them in the field,” she says. “It’s often considered taboo for women to work in these areas so I’m used to doing it alone. But I always remind people that this is my bread and butter: this is what I do.”
Since July 2024, Vasiti has been working with Its Time Foundation, where she has been directly involved in installing solar power systems that bring sustainable energy to schools in remote communities. This has enabled her to work in every corner of Fiji. From schools to homes in villages, she’s seen firsthand the powerful impact that renewable energy can have on people’s lives.
“The best part of my job is seeing the reaction when we provide power to communities. When kids in villages see the lights come on for the first time, they say ‘wow!’ It’s those moments that make it all worth it,” she shares.
“They even call me ‘Solar’ after I install their solar systems - it’s a powerful feeling knowing you’ve given them the gift of energy.”
As a woman in a predominantly male industry, Vasiti has faced her fair share of challenges, especially when working in remote villages. Initially, some locals were sceptical of her abilities because of her gender. But over time, as her installations powered up, their doubt turned to admiration.
“I’ve had people say, ‘It won’t work because you’re a woman,’ but when the system works, they are amazed,” she says. “It’s all about resilience and proving that you can do anything if you’re passionate about it.”
Her story is a testament to her incredible resilience and perseverance, qualities that she’s eager to share with other women. She’s shortly going to be embarking on a program with Its Time Foundation to train more women in solar installation and using her passion to visit local schools and encourage young girls to consider careers in technical fields through Its Time’s “You can wear this high-visibility shirt too” campaign.
Wearing her high-vis gear and speaking directly to students, she shows them that they too can take on roles traditionally dominated by men.
“I always tell young girls that if you love what you do, you can do it. Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s not for you,” she says. “We wear the high-vis and show them that they can fix things up in their own homes. This is the future and they can be a part of it.”
Her message is simple yet powerful: “Love what you do, and everything will fall into place. When you’re passionate about something, it becomes meaningful and impactful. And that’s how we make a difference.”
In 2025, Vasiti has set her sights on continuing to promote the value of women in the trades and renewable energy. She hopes to return to the TPAF to help expand training programs and encourage more women to consider careers in fields like solar energy.
“I want to show women that they have a place in these industries,” she says. “Whether it’s working on installations or teaching others, there is a need for women in this space. And the more of us who step up, the stronger our communities become.”
Vasiti’s work with Its Time Foundation is not just about installing solar panels - it’s about creating lasting change. From powering schools and homes to inspiring the next generation of women in science, she’s showing that women have an important role to play in building a sustainable future in every community. With each installation and each young girl she inspires, Vasiti is making a lasting impact - one solar panel at a time.
As we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate women like Vasiti who are lighting the way for others to follow. Her story is a reminder that with passion, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference, there’s no limit to what women can achieve in science and beyond.
The Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships are part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP) initiative to expand the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific’s (AIFFP) climate investments.
It does this by partnering with businesses to deliver reliable and sustainable renewable energy to remote and rural communities, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving energy security in the Pacific and Timor-Leste. It’s implemented by the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP).