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Thirty emerging female customs officers from 17 nations across the Pacific have graduated from the 2025 Pacific Women's Professional Development Program (PWPDP).
The Australian Border Force (ABF) initiative, in partnership with Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) and RMIT University, empowers future female leaders working in customs roles in the Pacific to advance their career pathways, which in turn also strengthens security in the region.
Now in its fourth year, the six-week program equips participants with essential leadership skills, prepares them for coming advancements in global trade and fosters customs networking.
ABF Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Vanessa Holben said the program was a testament to the ABF's commitment to building a stronger Pacific customs family.
"By investing in the development of women in customs, we not only enhance regional capacity but also create inclusive environments. We know diverse perspectives are critical in developing innovative solutions to addressing border security challenges," Deputy Commissioner Holben said.
"The ABF and its partners remain committed to fostering a secure, prosperous, and sovereign Pacific region by promoting the vital role of women in customs."
The OCO applauds those agencies who are taking active steps to recruit, retain and advance women in Customs.
Head of Secretariat at the Oceania Customs Organisation Nancy Oraka said women belong in Customs.
"In the male-dominated Pacific customs environment, strengthening women's leadership brings diverse perspectives and enhances efforts to combat illicit trade and strengthen border security. So, we all benefit when women lead," Ms Oraka said.
This year, participating nations included the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Australia.
PWPDP25 graduate and Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of Samoa's Ministry of Customs and Revenue Sophia Laifai-Oloapu said the Program had "empowered me to step forward in my role with confidence".
"I'm ready to escalate my positive contributions to my community and country," DCEO Laifai-Oloapu said.
"I'm excited to apply what I've learned and to inspire others to advance their career journeys. The Program stands as a testament to collective efforts to empower and support our Pacific women in becoming authentic and resilient leaders, enabling us to lead from where they are."
The PWPDP was conducted in two phases from 20 January 2025 to 28 February 2025: a three-week online phase followed by a nine-day residential phase in Suva, Fiji.
Customs largely remains a male-dominated career around the world. According to the WCO Annual Report 2023-2024, women comprise 36% of the global Customs workforce. Across the world, 20% of Heads of Customs administrations are women and women hold less than a quarter (23%) of management positions. In the Asia-Pacific region, these figures are lower still.
