Raising stronger communities: Moana’s journey in forestry, gender equity, and ending violence against women and girls

As the 16 Days of Activism shines a light on the urgent need to end violence against women and girls, SPC is sharing stories from staff who champion safer and more inclusive communities through their everyday work. Among them is Moana Bergmaier-Masau, an Engineered Wood Products Technician whose technical role intersects powerfully with social impact, gender equity, and community wellbeing.

Moana supports the Fiji component of an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded project that turns ageing, non-productive coconut trees into engineered wood products. While the work is technical, it is grounded in the belief that new industries must not reinforce existing inequalities.

Under the guidance of gender specialist Dr Natalie Jones from the University of Queensland, Moana helps lead gender studies along the entire value chain from agricultural communities supplying old coconut stems to manufacturers in the timber sector. These studies aim to understand how men and women participate and benefit at each step, ensuring that a new product uplifts everyone equitably.

Her commitment to this work extends into her master’s research at the University of the South Pacific, where she documents the experiences of women in Fiji’s timber sector, examining both the challenges they face and the policies that shape their opportunities.

She was recently involved in the development of a Gender Equity Strategy for the Timber and Forestry Industry in Fiji, a practical roadmap designed to build a more inclusive working culture in a sector traditionally dominated by men. Moana assisted with data collection, gender surveys, and the socialisation of the strategy, which is now being proposed for adoption by relevant ministries.

For Moana, the 16 Days of Activism is a deeply emotional reminder of the harm caused by power imbalances. She speaks candidly about the violence women and girls face; not only physical violence, but the cultural norms that allow inequality to persist. She reflects on the tragedy of girls being devalued simply because of their gender, and the responsibility communities have to protect and uplift them. As a mother of a young boy, she believes strongly in teaching boys to become caring, respectful men, noting that change begins with how society raises the next generation.

Moana’s reflections on violence return again and again to the issue of power. In many Pacific households, traditional norms expect women and girls to submit to male authority. When communication breaks down, this imbalance can escalate into violence.

Ending violence, she believes, requires reshaping these power dynamics, starting with education, strong role models, and a cultural shift toward empathy and mutual respect.

Her work in LRD contributes to this vision by creating space for women’s stories in male-dominated sectors. Documenting the lived experiences of women in forestry helps open conversations about workplace culture, support systems, and inclusion.

It also reinforces Moana’s belief that “it takes a community to raise ladies and gentlemen” - a theme central to her thesis and her daily work.

Moana has seen firsthand how empowering women can transform communities. Stories from her own research illustrate this change, including a woman mill manager who earned respect through her technical expertise, challenging long-held biases about women’s capability in the sector.

Gender equality and social inclusion, Moana highlights, must be embedded in agricultural and natural resource work because traditional land systems often disadvantage women.

“While many women labour on the land, they frequently lack ownership or decision-making power, making them vulnerable in times of loss or hardship. Addressing these inequities is essential to strengthening resilience, dignity, and opportunity.”

Moana’s message to Pacific women in agriculture and science is to 

“keep learning, unlearning, and growing wiser every day.”

And to men and boys, she offers clear guidance, which is to lead with respect, learn to understand women’s perspectives, and be part of a community that actively raises boys into gentlemen.

Looking ahead, Moana envisions a Pacific where women and girls participate freely and safely, workplaces are inclusive, and communities share power with fairness and respect. Her journey reminds us that creating safe spaces is a collective effort shaped by daily choices, strengthened by role models, and driven by the belief that equality benefits everyone.