Tongan carpentry student Melenaite gained hands-on training through a partnership between Habitat for Humanity New Zealand and the Tonga Institute of Science and Technology.

“Two major things I learn from the work here. One is that I am able to share the skills I am attaining in the workplace in building shelters and taking into account that building involves ensuring that the environment is healthy and safe.” Watch a brief video of her interview. 

Vocational training is an important outcome in Habitat’s ongoing work in the Pacific. Skilled youth and local people have many long-term positive benefits for housing and resilience in communities. 

Elizabeth, Australia

Elizabeth had a diverse career in communications and marketing before joining the Habitat Women program in March 2024. The program by Habitat for Humanity Australia supports women in entering and succeeding in the construction industry. Its key pillars are: skills training and a social enterprise for repairs and maintenance. Women are empowered through practical experience and fulfilling employment while addressing the housing needs of vulnerable communities.

Through the Habitat Women program, she reignited her long-held aspirations to have a career of working with her hands, making things, and using tools. She said it was most rewarding to work on crisis housing under Habitat Australia’s Brush with Kindness program. Her efforts in repairs and painting made a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. Since graduating in March 2024, Elizabeth has been employed by the Habitat Women Social Enterprise as a supervisor.

Maria, Fiji

Maria Dau initially joined Habitat for Humanity Fiji in 2016 as a field coordinator for Habitat’s Global Village program. During Global Village builds, she noticed that women made up a significant portion of the volunteer group, sparking her interest in carpentry.

However, as a woman, she was hesitant to share with her parents about her desire to pursue something different. With the support of her colleagues, she eventually talked to her parents, who wholeheartedly supported her decision. Maria became a qualified carpenter in 2019 and has since participated in over 100 builds.

Her decision to become a carpenter challenged traditional gender roles, showing other women that they can pursue non-traditional roles and succeed. Her presence and success as a carpenter among male coworkers and community members also led to a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in traditionally male-dominated fields. Maria’s story demonstrates the power of determination, courage, and resilience in inspiring positive change and breaking barriers for women in communities and workplaces.

Amrapali, India

Thousands of women who took part in a multi-year initiative known as Project Nirmanshree are making headway in the male-dominated construction sector. They include Amrapali who gained certifications in entrepreneurship and related skills through government schemes with the support of Habitat for Humanity India and its partners. are making headway in the male-dominated construction sector. They include Amrapali who gained certifications in entrepreneurship and related skills through government schemes with the support of Habitat for Humanity India and its partners.

Project Nirmanshree — a combination of Hindi and Sanskrit words that means “building women” — was funded by the European Union and implemented by Habitat India. By the project’s completion in December 2023, a total of 2,710 women across four districts in India’s Odisha and Maharashtra states have improved their livelihoods and employment opportunities in housing-related trades. The initiative empowers marginalized women through construction and entrepreneurship development training, creating greater access to government services related to housing and advocacy work.

MANILA (March 8, 2025) — Every year, International Women’s Day is marked on March 8 in many countries. While women’s achievements are celebrated, there is no denying that challenges — and possibilities — exist. According to the World Economic Forum’s latest annual Global Gender Gap Report, it will take another 134 years to reach gender parity.

Gender equality is central to the Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations’ landmark Pact for the Future, adopted in 2024, states that gender equality is an “essential prerequisite for sustainable development,” without which none of the goals can be achieved. Yet, a joint U.N report has found that none of the indicators and sub-indicators of Sustainable Development Goal 5, the goal for gender equality, has been met.

Corporate feminism; gimmicky; irrelevant — these are some of the criticisms leveled against marking International Women’s Day. There is, however, still meaning and value in recognizing women on March 8 every year. But we need to continue increasing awareness and action for gender equality, not only one day a year but every day until the gap has been closed.

This March, we share stories of women who worked with Habitat for Humanity to gain skills in Fiji and Tonga; access economic opportunities in Australia and India; become homeowners; and volunteer in Singapore and Hong Kong to make an impact.

If we have 25 hours a day, would we use that extra hour serving others? For two women leaders, the answer would be a resounding “yes!” In fact, they would have dedicated more than that extra time to help build strong, stable communities where they live and work. Meet Soo-Lin Lee and Tammy Hoy who are making a difference through a Habitat for Humanity program to clean and declutter homes in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Soo-Lin was spurred into action by the COVID-19 pandemic. She said, “Seeing the global crisis unfold deepened my sense of purpose and urgency to make a difference.” She started with volunteering once a month before increasing the frequency to two or more monthly. Having completed 53 Project HomeWorks sessions by end-December 2024, Soo-Lin was recognized as a volunteer champion by Habitat for Humanity Singapore.

Doing something that’s of value

For Tammy, her involvement with Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong is two-fold. Currently the client experience director at JLL, she started spearheading its corporate social responsibility initiatives when she was the marketing lead. She decided on partnering with Habitat Hong Kong because of the housing nonprofit’s vision—everyone deserves a decent place to live. “We just want to make sure that whatever we’re doing is going to be something that’s of value.” She followed through with individual volunteer stints in Hong Kong as well as overseas.