On the outskirts of Ba in Fiji, a group of women are quietly changing the game – both in rugby and in farming. The Ba Women’s Rugby Association is leading a bold initiative that’s giving women – many of them young, unemployed, or facing personal hardship – the chance to earn an income, make economic decisions, and build independent lives through agriculture. In a country where rugby and farming are often seen as men’s domains, these women are proving otherwise.

For Torika Sabina, 25, the initiative has meant everything. After losing both parents, Torika was forced to live with relatives while trying to pursue a career in rugby. But what she hoped would be temporary support quickly turned into emotional hardship.

“I could tell I wasn’t really wanted,” she said. “I just needed somewhere to stay while I chased my dream, but I had to find another way.”

That “other way” came through a unique opportunity – a farming initiative set up by the Ba Women’s Rugby Association and supported by Mama Cash in partnership with Women’s Fund Fiji through its Climate Justice and Humanitarian Action initiative. The project offered Torika not just work, but a chance to build a future with dignity.

She joined as a volunteer and began living on the farm in a tent. There was no electricity or running water at first – just land, and a shared determination among the women to make something out of nothing.

“It was hard, but I was free,” Torika said. “I knew if I worked hard, I could build something of my own – and I have.”

Today, Torika is the farm’s Operations Manager, overseeing the daily work of growing and selling crops at the Ba Municipal Market. The income from the produce has allowed her to begin building her own home — with a roof now completed, walls going up, and even a proper toilet and bathroom installed.

More than just earning money, Torika has gained the power to make her own financial decisions. With the financial literacy and business training offered through the project, she now manages budgets, plans expenses, and makes choices that shape her future.

“For the first time, I can support myself and make decisions about my life. I know where my money is going, and how to use it wisely,” she said. “I don’t rely on anyone else – and that freedom is everything.”

She has proven that when women are given access to land, tools, and training, they don’t just survive – they lead.

The initiative was made possible by Malakai Vuninavanua, executive of the Ba Women’s Rugby Association, who donated 15 acres of unused land in Moto, Ba. For him, this is about preparing the women for life beyond the sport. “I told the girls – rugby won’t last forever, but what you learn and build here will. We’re not just growing crops; we’re growing futures,” Malakai said.

Despite facing challenges like transporting their produce to market and working in a drought-prone area, Torika and her teammates remain committed. They spend Fridays at the farm, staying overnight to start early on Saturday mornings, tending the land with determination and teamwork. Through their efforts, they are not only breaking gender norms but also building long-term resilience, economic independence, and leadership opportunities for women throughout Fiji.