Girls and Women Must Be Included in Climate Action, Says Tabuya

Girls and women must be included at the centre of Fiji’s climate response, with a strong focus on practical skills and leadership at community level.

This was a key message from Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Lynda Tabuya, during discussions with UNICEF representatives, including Associate Director for Gender Equality Lauren Rumble and UNICEF Pacific Deputy Representative Roshni Basu.

The meeting focused on expanding green skills for girls and women, particularly in rural communities, with training in areas such as waste management, recycling and environmental awareness.

Hon. Tabuya said inclusion alone was not enough, stressing that girls and women should also take on leadership roles in climate action. She linked this to Fiji’s preparations for upcoming Pre COP engagements, where there is a push for stronger grassroots and youth participation.

She noted that green skills are already being introduced in schools through waste management initiatives, where students are taught to sort plastics, aluminium, compost and general waste. The Minister said similar training should now be extended to girls in rural communities.

Hon. Tabuya also highlighted ongoing waste management challenges, particularly outside municipal areas where there is no structured system in place. She said this often leads to waste being dumped in rivers, along hillsides or burned.

“This is where girls trained in green skills can also play a role in strengthening community waste management efforts,” she said.

UNICEF Associate Director Lauren Rumble welcomed the focus, saying women play a natural role in driving environmental change at community level.

As Fiji prepares to host Pre COP, the Minister also outlined efforts to increase children’s participation, including ideas such as a drawing competition and the appointment of a child ambassador to represent Fiji.

She also briefed the delegation on a taskforce reviewing social media age restrictions for those under 16, and plans to work with UNICEF on a children’s forum later this year to gather views directly from young people.

The discussions reaffirmed a shared commitment between Fiji and UNICEF to ensure girls and women are included at the centre of climate action, with an emphasis on practical skills, leadership and community driven solutions.