2026-09-01 –, Conference Management Room5
To provide geospatial mapping training and raise awareness on the use of geospatial tools to empower Pacific Women — including young women, women with disabilities, and women from outer islands in mapping to access, utilize, and apply mapping resources for community development and decision-making.
The Pacific Geospatial Women Network (PGWN) is endorsed under the Oceans Management and Literacy Programme at the Pacific Community (SPC) and reports to the Pacific Geospatial and Surveying Council (PGSC). The network was established to promote women’s capacity, participation, and leadership in Geospatial Science and Earth Observation (EO) across the Pacific. Its overarching goal is to raise awareness, celebrate achievements, and create a strong support network for women working in, or aspiring to enter, the geospatial field.
In 2024, PGWN successfully piloted its community-based approach with two local women’s groups in Fiji. The pilot integrated geospatial capacity-building into existing community-led environmental activities, recognising that women and marginalised groups often face systemic barriers to accessing technology, technical training, and decision-making spaces. By intentionally engaging women from rural communities and those with diverse abilities, the initiative helped bridge the digital divide and promoted inclusive and equitable participation in climate resilience efforts.
Through its regional mandate, PGWN works to ensure that women are not left behind in this digital and data-driven age. Network activities focus on hands-on learning, introductory mapping and Earth Observation awareness, digital literacy, and the practical application of geospatial tools for decision-making, community planning, and environmental resilience. By equipping local women’s groups with these skills, PGWN supports inclusive development and enables women to actively contribute to shaping the future of their communities.
In 2025, PGWN expanded regionally for the first time, including the delivery of a tailored training and awareness programme for Kiribati Women in Mapping (KWIM). This initiative promoted the integration of traditional knowledge with geospatial technologies, empowering local women to engage in inclusive data collection and community-led planning. The Kiribati activities demonstrated the value of combining local knowledge systems with geospatial science to support national and regional resilience efforts.
Building on this momentum, PGWN plans to expand its activities to additional Pacific Island countries in 2026. The network aims to strengthen regional collaboration, peer learning, and knowledge exchange among women geospatial practitioners, while adapting its methodologies to local contexts and priorities. While geospatial science is well established globally, its application in rural Pacific contexts is still evolving. PGWN addresses this gap through capacity-building, awareness campaigns, and partnerships with universities, non-profit organisations, and regional institutions. Planned initiatives include mentorship and internship opportunities for female geospatial graduates, supporting women’s leadership in STEM and contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future for the Pacific.
Jacqueline Singh is a Technical Assistant at the Pacific Community (SPC), supporting regional geospatial initiatives across the Pacific. Her work focuses on strengthening inclusive geospatial capacity, with particular emphasis on empowering women especially young women, women with disabilities, and women from outer islands through Earth Observation, mapping, and community‑led decision‑making.