By Eleanor Gee
While the gap in gender inequality in Tonga is still wide, in 2020 more women are navigating their way into traditionally male-dominated roles. For International Women's Day this year, Matangi Tonga talked to two young women Sara Sakopo and 'Emeline Siale, both 21, who found the courage to overcome their fears and become qualified to work in skilled trades alongside men.
International Women’s Day this year, celebrated on 8 March annually, highlights gender inequality around the world under the theme “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”.
In Tonga, women are slowly shifting towards traditionally male-dominated fields such as the energy and trade sectors.
Lineswoman
Sarah Sakopo (21) is a lineswoman who has been working for Tonga Power Limited (TPL) since 2017. Sarah was not the first lineswoman in Tonga but she's become one because of a positive role model of those before her. Sarah told Matangi Tonga she was inspired by a lineswoman she saw climbing a power pole.
“One day we were driving and I saw this lineswoman climbing a power pole and I thought to myself, I would like that job. But I saw that she was the only woman there and the rest were men.”
However, Sarah was not deterred and completed an electrical course at Technical Institute of Science and Technology (TIST), and later joined Tonga Power Ltd.
At first, she found some tasks challenging but it was her male colleagues that encouraged her to keep going.
“Well, the men are obviously physically stronger than me and when I first started, the work was difficult for me, like climbing [power poles]. I was scared!”
“But I noticed that the men just climbed without thinking about it. And watching them gave me the courage to climb. It was like they were encouraging me, that there is no reason to be scared and it’s easy.”
“Now, I find it easy to work. Whatever the work men can do, I can do just as well,” Sarah said.
Plumbing
Tongan women can also be found in the plumbing trade such as ‘Emeline Siale (21) who is studying at TIST.
‘Emeline was one of four apprentice students recently selected to work on Live & Learn Tonga’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Recovery and Resilience project.
One of Live & Learn’s key principles is to promote gender equality, especially to ensure women are active contributors to the societies and communities in which they live.
‘Emeline has already put her skills to work handling all the plumbing work for her family’s new house earlier this year.
She already has career plans after she graduates with a Diploma in plumbing this year.
“My dream is to commence a plumbing business of my own. I want to help women who are keen to pursue their dream as a plumber as it is very rare for my social standing.”
“I want to uncover exactly where I can have the greatest positive impact on our country, or anything that might help for women who doubt themselves in this career.”
She said even though many people think women cannot succeed in this job “I am confident that I will make a good role model in this career”.
Health sector
Tonga is also a leader in the developing world by appointing a woman as Minister of Health in the last six months.
Globally, while women make up around 70% of the global health workforce only 25% of women are in the health sector’s senior roles and are rarely represented adequately in policymaking, even though they are often seen as the gatekeepers of health.
Hon. Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu, was appointed Minister of Health, after being chosen by the Prime Minister, (who may appoint up to four ministers from outside of parliament).
Dr Tu'ipulotu has a PhD in Nursing from the University of Sydney and is inspired to improve the health care provision in Tonga.
She told the Australian Government website that her “doctoral work and vision for the future is to build the foundation of nursing, so that the nursing profession can deliver the best possible care for the people of Tonga.”
While the gap in gender inequality in Tonga is still wide, in 2020 more women are navigating their way into male dominated roles.
