A three-day training is reshaping perceptions of leadership in the chiefly village of Serua.

On Serua Island, access to water has been a daily challenge— until recently. What was seen as men’s work changed when 17 diverse women from Serua Village and Talenaua settlement participated in a practical plumbing training supported by Habitat for Humanity Fiji and Habitat for Humanity Australia.

While many had seen pipes and fittings before, few knew their names or how to use them. By day three, the women were confidently identifying fittings, distinguishing between water pressure and waste pipe systems, and applying their knowledge to real-life household repairs.

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As part of the training, the women assessed 10 households, identifying and repairing leaking taps, as well as cracked and leaking pipes. The repair work quickly became a highlight of the project, demonstrating how newly acquired skills can lead to immediate, practical impact. Following the repairs, families noticed a significant improvement in water pressure, making showers usable again and restoring convenience to their daily routines. These visible improvements were even celebrated by their Paramount Chief.

With the provision of basic plumbing tools as part of the training package, the women are now equipped not only with knowledge, but with the means to confidently apply their skills during and beyond the project.

A missing tap had left the village’s existing 10,000-litre water tank unusable.  Women had to walk nearly 10 minutes to collect water from a communal rainwater tank. Following the training, the women installed the missing tap, providing quicker access to water for community events.

Beyond technical skills, the training sparked a shift in perceptions of leadership. The village water committee was made up entirely of men. With their newly gained skills and knowledge the women had the confidence to propose their inclusion in the committee in the village meeting. As a result, two women are now part of the water committee.

Village health worker Tavenisa Nadreke shared that “Women are the first to use water in the household. Now, we can respond immediately when there is a problem.”

Enabling women to cater for themselves is transformative. By applying the skills they’ve learned, they gain practical independence, save time and money, and build confidence in solving real-life problems. This not only strengthens women’s role as community leaders but also enhances overall community resilience, ensuring that essential services like water access can be maintained locally. These knowledge, skills and tools are sustainable, allowing women to train others and address challenges immediately, turning knowledge into lasting solutions for everyone.

This International Women’s Day, the women of Serua Island show that when women are equipped with skills, they strengthen households, improve services, and lead community resilience.