Catherine Kelly
Research Mentor: Sela Panapasa
Mentor Department: Institute for Social Research, Other
Author(s): Catie Kelly, Sela Panapasa
Session: Session 7 (4:00 PM – 4:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 48
Abstract
The demography of Rotuma, an island roughly 300 miles north of Fiji, presents an area of research left largely unexplored. Rotumans practice traditional ways of life, with deep-rooted cultural practices and social structures, however, there is limited data and research on the intersection of population dynamics with education level and attainment, occupations, and how gender roles are represented across employment opportunities. Using data from household questionnaires from villages across the 8.1 miles of Rotuma, we assess current data on the education level and total educational attainment of individuals, across all ages on the island. Further, the informal and formal sectors of economic development, gender roles, and their differences in the labor force. In addition, this data works to inform the Fijian government and citizens on the educational system and how different types of employment have implications for policy. This information can help to better coordinate resource access and allocation and improved governance to facilitate productivity and strengthen the human capital of the population. The Village Profile Report took place as a collaborative initiative to conduct household surveys in Rotuma to solicit data concerning socio-economic, infrastructure, education, and familial conditions. The approach/method of this study references data collection through a household questionnaire This study uses census data from 2023, surveying 1135 individuals, to examine the social, infrastructural, and economic circumstances of Rotuman residents across 7 districts. With comparisons to Fiji’s national data, the analysis concludes with aims to ensure informing, collaborating, and recommending means to fulfill the demographic needs of the Rotuman population and present policy alternatives for doing so.
