In celebration of International Women’s Day, we interview one of the remarkable women making significant contributions at the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO). As a former Project Coordinator for the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Project and the organisation’s first Monitoring and Evaluation specialist, Tokanuea Karakaua shares insights from her professional journey that highlight the importance of resilience, positive mindset, and embracing challenges.
Drawing inspiration from pioneering Banaban women in academia like Dr. Teresia Teaiwa and Rubena Ofati, she has forged her own path of excellence while maintaining a strong commitment to supporting other women in her workplace and community. Her approach to leadership—leading from wherever you are—and her balanced perspective on professional and personal life offer valuable wisdom for women at all stages of their careers.
In this interview, Toka (as she likes to be called) reflects on achievements, challenges, and the personal philosophies that have guided her success, providing thoughtful insights on what International Women’s Day means in the context of her life and work.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?
International Women’s Day is the day to celebrate women’s achievements. To me, achievement comes in many forms. These include professional recognition, continuing to fulfil maternal roles and domestic duties for one’s family, successfully running small businesses to provide for family needs, and effectively implementing community service.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career or life journey that shaped who you are today?
Working with tough supervisors has significantly shaped me, though I’ve never seen this as negative or demotivating. Rather, I view it as a challenge that keeps me on my toes, motivated and resilient to meet deadlines, complete my duties and strive to achieve beyond expectations.
Who are the women who have inspired you most, and why?
The late Dr Teresia Teaiwa, the first Banaban woman to earn a Doctorate, has been truly inspirational. She was brilliant, humble and consistently encouraged young Banabans to study and write. Similarly, Rubena Ofati, the first Banaban woman to obtain a degree, inspires me with her humility and strictness, along with her encouragement of young Banabans to pursue higher education.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in your field, and how did you overcome them?
Not receiving timely responses presents a significant challenge, though this might be considered a general professional obstacle. I overcome this by refusing to give up and following up consistently—first with emails and then phone calls. Additionally, I cultivate positive and friendly networks with my professional contacts, extending my follow-ups to platforms such as Messenger and WhatsApp.
What achievement are you most proud of, and why?
I’m particularly proud of serving as the acting Project Coordinator for the IPR Project at OCO for two years. This role provided me with exposure to coordinate the IPR project across 14 countries. Notably, this was OCO’s first project on IPR, for which I established the groundwork. After two years, the donor (USPTO) extended the project for an additional five years. I’m also proud of assuming the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) role. As the first M&E position within OCO, I embraced it with a positive mindset, ready to face the challenge and drive change within the organisation.
How do you balance your professional responsibilities with personal life?
I maintain balance by leaving my laptop at work so that when I go home, it’s truly my personal time. This sometimes means working late to meet deadlines, but it ensures I can leave work behind. I follow the same principle at weekends, coming to the office only when necessary.
What advice would you give to young women just starting their careers?
I encourage young women to continually read, think and share their ideas. It’s important to understand that making mistakes is acceptable—the key is not to repeat them. Most importantly, embrace challenges with a positive mindset.
How have you seen attitudes toward women in your industry change during your career?
In my personal assessment, women in OCO are respected by their male colleagues. I’ve observed a culture of professional respect within our organisation.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing women today?
Violence against women could be the most significant issue, although I’m not familiar with the most recent data regarding violence against women in Fiji.
How do you support other women in your workplace or community?
I support other women by communicating and sharing on a confidential and trustworthy basis, encouraging them to continue growing with a positive mindset, and ensuring I do both with genuine intentions and sincerity.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership means leading from wherever you are, regardless of your role in the workplace. It’s about taking ownership of your responsibilities and positively influencing your colleagues through your actions and attitude.
What’s one stereotype about women you’d like to challenge?
I’d challenge the stereotype that women are more emotional than men. The reality is that it’s perfectly acceptable to show vulnerability. When women display vulnerability and emotions, it doesn’t indicate weakness or an inability to complete work—it simply reflects our humanity.
How do you practice self-care and maintain well-being?
I maintain well-being by eating nutritious food and spending quality time with my nine-month-old son. I also strive to live healthily by ensuring I get adequate rest.
What’s one thing you wish you had known earlier in your career?
That it’s perfectly acceptable to make mistakes. Understanding this earlier would have reduced unnecessary pressure and fostered greater innovation and risk-taking in my professional development.
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