The Ravai sisters
FOR quite some time, the construction sector has been predominantly dominated by men, and the engineering field is no exception.
In the construction business, women make up only 7 per cent of architects and engineers worldwide, according to a report by the New England Institute of Technology.
Today, we’re shining the light on two sisters excelling in the engineering field: Dorris Rachel Mil-Beth Ravai, a graduate civil engineer presently employed at SCOPE Pacific Pte Ltd, and her younger sister, Johanna Ravai, a graduate plant mechanical engineer employed at Pernix (Fiji) Ltd, under Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL).
Dorris and Johanna, raised in a household deeply rooted in engineering, found their passion for the field through familial influence and captivating documentaries about Dubai’s structural marvels. Their father, an esteemed aircraft engineer, and their stepfather, an established electronic engineer and acting dean of the College of Engineering and Technical Vocational Education and Training (CETVET), provided them with the inspiration and support to pursue their dreams.
“Growing up, I wanted to be a pilot, but after my careful consideration of job availability in Fiji, our parents found out that engineering had a bigger demand, so there was no second thought about it because I also grew up watching documentaries on TV about the structural developments in Dubai, and I fell in love with it,” said Dorris.
Despite initially harbouring different aspirations, the sisters’ exposure to engineering principles and innovations gradually ignited a fascination that propelled them towards their chosen paths. Their journey, however, was marked by a profound loss when they tragically lost their mother to cancer in 2020.
“In 2020, I was supposed to begin with my attachment, but when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, I had to stay home to care for her with my sister Johanna,” Dorris said.
Despite the adversity, Dorris persevered and graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 2020, while Johanna followed suit, obtaining a diploma in plant engineering in 2023.
Their achievements not only honour their family’s legacy but also serve as a testament to their resilience and determination to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
For Johanna, a young mother of two handsome boys, the challenges hit her very early. In 2020, she had to postpone her studies as she became pregnant.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she wanted to give up on school and become a stay-at-home mom, but her sister’s endless advice drove Johanna to what she has become today.
“It got hard for me, being a young mother, so I wanted to give up and just stay at home and do side businesses, but Dorris kept pushing me and reminding me that our mother would’ve wanted us to complete our studies and work,” said Johanna.
After a two-year break from school, Johanna returned to complete her sixmonth attachment before graduating from Fiji National University (FNU) in December last year. Now she is a permanent staff member of Pernix as an assistant operator. Working in a maledominated field, the two sisters share similar challenges, and that is being undermined because of their gender and their young age.
“We are always being second-guessed when we try to bring up our opinions, but we always try to be respectful and speak our minds in a respectful way,” they said.
As they continue to forge ahead in their careers, Dorris and Johanna embody the spirit of perseverance, breaking down barriers and inspiring future generations of women to pursue their passions fearlessly in the field of engineering.
Their journey serves as a reminder that with dedication and support anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.