12pc women environment ministers

Many of the issues faced by women in STEM fields are common to women in any workplace...

– Eseta Nadakuitavuki

ONLY 12 per cent of all environment-related ministries globally, have a woman minister,” says Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection permanent secretary Eseta Nadakuitavuki.

While addressing the Pacific Women in Power panel discussion at USP Laucala Campus on Tuesday, she said in the Asia-Pacific region this figure was even lower at 7 per cent.

“In the case of energy ministries specifically, only six per cent of all Asia-Pacific ministers are women, while in the Pacific only one country has a woman minister,” Ms Nadakuitavuki said.

“The time to change that is now and this year in particular is dedicated to call on change, especially with this year’s International Women’s Day theme being, ‘Invest in Women; Accelerate Progress’ as well.”

She said we needed to adopt some crucial steps to encourage women to enter and stay in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) careers.

“Many of the issues faced by women in STEM fields are common to women in any workplace, but STEM jobs have particular challenges.

“We need to aggressively address these challenges to ensure that we have the best talent engaged, and enough people to fill these key jobs.

“Our ability to be competitive and create a secure future depends on it.

“But the first step to all this is motivating more young females and creating an equitable environment for them to enter and excel in the STEM education.”