Picture a new road opening up, leading to exciting possibilities. For many women, this road sym-bolizes their ongoing quest for equality. The pro-gress is real, yet the journey remains challenging.

In Fiji, the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) is advanc-ing inclusivity by involving women, vulnerable groups, and people with disabilities in road plan-ning, aiming to create a more equitable environ-ment for all.

When road projects overlook the needs of women, their daily lives can become significantly harder. In Fiji, men often travel more frequently and far-ther from their villages for work, while women face a range of challenges linked to inadequate infrastructure. Women in rural areas, for instance, often bear the brunt of household responsibilities and unpaid care work. They spend considerable time walking long distances for work, food, or firewood, which limits their opportunities for economic activities. In some villages, women carry goods on their backs due to a lack of transport options, and cultural norms may restrict their use of available transport modes, such as bicycles or even horseback.

Urban women also encounter obstacles, such as services being inconveniently located or concerns for their safety. By including women in the plan-ning of road projects, the FRA addresses these issues directly. Women’s involvement is crucial not only for their empowerment but also for ef-fective planning. Improved infrastructure can enhance their access to healthcare, education, and markets, easing their transport burdens and al-lowing more time for economic and personal pursuits.

During a recent series of community consultations, I witnessed firsthand the challenges and progress of this inclusive approach. Our first visit took two hours to reach the venue. As I entered the village community hall, an announcement echoed: eve-ryone was invited to share their feedback and discuss our new road project.

Despite notifying the village headman in advance and encouraging him to invite more women, the attendance was predominantly male. Only a few women attended, and many still felt hesitant to participate. During the consultation, only one woman spoke up, while others sat quietly or managed their children. In focused group discus-sions, the women gradually felt more comfortable and began to share their thoughts. We distributed project flyers in the local language to better res-onate with women’s interests and needs.

The following day, we tried to make the consulta-tion more convenient and inclusive for women by offering an accessible venue and scheduling the meeting at a time when they could be free from household duties. The turnout improved, but we still did not achieve the balanced representation we hoped for.

On the third day, we made further adjustments by offering tea and snacks to ease the burden of meal preparation at home. This approach led to better attendance, though we still did not reach full gender parity.

By the fourth day, we collaborated with the village women’s group to host a dedicated meeting, which proved very productive. The established women acted as intermediaries, encouraging broader par-ticipation. Addressing barriers such as lack of time, information, or confidence is crucial for ensuring women’s voices are heard and valued during consultations.

On the final day, we also sent out questionnaires to those unable to attend the consultation in person. It is imperative to regularly gather feedback from women about their experiences with community consultations and use this information to make continuous improvements.This experience taught me that inclusivity requires flexibility and creativity. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach but rather a continuous process of ad-aptation and thoughtful adjustments to achieve gender equality in decision-making.

The journey toward inclusive infrastructure plan-ning is ongoing, but each step taken toward in-corporating women’s voices is a step closer to a road that truly benefits everyone.