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Guadalcanal women challenged to be innovative and creative to earn an income

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Ms Joy Ellen Alfred, Women Development officer from Women Development Division (WDD) of Guadalcanal Provincial government.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Ms Joy Ellen Alfred, Women Development officer from Women Development Division (WDD) of Guadalcanal Provincial government.

WOMEN in rural areas of Guadalcanal province have very limited sources of income to help support their families, hence the need for them to venture into innovative and creative avenues for income.

This was expressed by Ms Joy Ellen Alfred who is the Women Development officer from Women Development Division (WDD) of Guadalcanal Provincial government.

She voiced the sentiment on Tuesday at Northeast Guadalcanal’s Tasimboko area, addressing members of five women’s savings clubs.

Alfred stated that the task of achieving a sustainable livelihood is a challenge for women in Guadalcanal.

She went on to stress that the factors behind this struggle are accessibility to roads and transport, effects of changing weather patterns and other issues.

Alfred said that with this scenario, Guadalcanal women have to move into new heights in way of earning an income thus have to be innovative and creative in what they produce.

She added that working with the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), her office have tried their best to teach women and girls various techniques in cooking, creating garments and other skills to help them produce their own products to help them earn their own money.

Addressing guest visitor, President of the Pacific Regional Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) organization, Ms Gail Commens who was also present at the gathering, she said the women’s’ savings clubs present were established with support from her office and MWYCFA.

Alfred mentioned that reports presented by the members also indicate that the clubs have helped them meet their basic needs and other expenses for necessities like education, school fees and health.

It is understood that Guadalcanal Provincial government’s Women Development Division (WDD) is working with 385 registered groups comprising of 10 women associations, 15 women savings and credit clubs, 47 women’s groups and 313 church women groups.

Archbishop Takeli visits police in Central province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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OFFICERS of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Tulagi Police Station in Central Province on September 17, 2018, welcomed the Most Reverend Archbishop, George Takeli of the Anglican Church of Melanesia during his visit to the provincial capital.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province, Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “During his visit Archbishop Takeli told the officers that police is one of the most important organisations in the country because of the pastoral role that it plays in the country.”

“The Archbishop told the officers that the police also play a role like churches to provide a good environment for stability.

“All the churches are always supportive of police work through their prayers.

“I was so fortunate and honoured to welcome the Archbishop during his visit. I thanked him for choosing to visit Tulagi Station and addressing my officers.

“I can confirm that churches throughout Central province have been supporting RSIPF in dealing with issues to restore peace,” says PPC Leta.

–POLICE MEDIA

Smoking residents awaiting advise to apply for land

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SMOKING residents at Tulaghi who were earlier told this year to apply for new plots of lands because of a new domestic wharf is being planned to be built there are still waiting for the application plan.

Central Islands Province (CIP) Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni during the beginning of this year had advised Smoking residents to apply for plots of lands further inland from their seaside location as the planned project was said to had started between July and August.

However to this day, Smoking residents are still waiting for the plan as the planned domestic wharf has not even started yet too.

As doubts are starting to be raised by the locals, the Provincial Secretary (PS) of CIP Mr Alan Christian Siale had recently clarified on the projects side that the cause of delay is the technical design to be adjusted and the inclusion of Gender Infrastructures as a component to the project.

Ghiro pays courtesy visit on Western province government

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Western Province Premier Hon David Gina, Western Provincial Secretary, Jeffrey Wickham and Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, Adrian Sinabule Gina met MP Hon Nestor Ghiro upon arrival at the front hotel jetty on Wednesday.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THE Minister of Provincial Government & Institutional Strengthening (PGIS) and Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Makira, Nestor Ghiro is in Gizo on a courtesy visit to the newly elected government of the Western province.

A statement from the Ministry’s communication unit said the visit also allowed the Minister to meet face to face with some of the 26 MPAs who are in a full induction and orientation session of the important meeting designed to make MPAs know and get the breath of the law that governed the Provincial system.

A full orientation programme started last week and to end this week highlighted roles and responsibilities of MPAs including topics.

Mr Ghiro was met on arrival by Premier David Gina, Western Provincial Secretary, Jeffrey Wickham and Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, Adrian Sinabule Gina.

The Minister is accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Mr Stanley Pirione and his Executive Secretary, Ms Suzie Lai.

Western Province Premier Hon David Gina, Western Provincial Secretary, Jeffrey Wickham and Speaker of the
Provincial Assembly, Adrian Sinabule Gina met MP Hon Nestor Ghiro upon arrival at the front hotel jetty on Wednesday.

 

Ghiro pays tribute to late Tekifono

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

Gizo

THE Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Nestor Ghiro has paid tribute to Western province’s former speaker, the Late Richard Morgan Tekifono.

Late Tekifono served as Speaker from 2014 to 2018 and elected as MPA for Ward 10 Irigila from 1998 to 2009 in Western province. He passed away last week.

Hon Ghiro said the passing of late Late Tekifono has shocked the ministry of the provincial government (MPGIS).

He said the Ministry of the Provincial Government also offered a message of condolence on the

Ghiro conveyed the condolences of his ministry staff to the family of Late Tekifono.

“His good examples will long be remembered in our Communities, Province and Country as whole.”

He said late Tekifono’s passing is “a great loss for his immediate family members and the province”.

EU supports Solomon Islands fight climate change

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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ACSE Project Manager Mr Fox H Qwaina.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

ACSE Project Manager Mr Fox H Qwaina.

EUROPEAN Union continues to be a champion in preparing Solomon Islands mitigate the effects and impacts of climate change, with millions of dollars being pumped into the country for various projects.

Currently, under the EU-GIZ programme, they have engaged SINU and Selwyn College in a project called Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (ACSE) project.

ACSE Project Manager Mr Fox H Qwaina ACSE programme has three components.

First component is the EU-GIZ Adaptation to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy which cost 18.64 million Euros.

He said the project is being administered by the GIZ in close collaboration with the SPC-GIZ programme known as Coping with Climate Change in the Pacific Islands Region.

Besides that, the Energy Catalyst Component and it cost 10 million Euros which has been jointly managed by the EU with the Asian Development Bank in some selected PACP’s, he adds.

Third component is the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) on sustainable energy cost 6.1 million Euros and it has jointly management by the EU with the SPC, Mr Qwaina said.

Mr Qwaina said SIG through Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification are co-Ministries overseeing the ACSE project.

On regional level, EU in conjunction with GIZ has been assisting the Pacific African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

There are 15 countries in the pacific EU-GIZ has worked through programme known as Adaptation to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy funded by the 10th European Development Fund (EDF 10).

The countries are Cook Islands, Federate State of Micronesian, Fiji, Republic of Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The objectives of the ACSE programme is to enhance sustainable livelihood in PACP’s and to strengthen PACP’s capacities to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

Moreover, ACSE project also look to enhance PACP’s energy at the National, provincial and local levels.

This ACSE programme is forming part of a broader EU engagement on climate change adaptation, sustainable energy and disaster risk management in the pacific islands countries.

Such includes the global climate alliance programme, the BSRP and the former B-envelope disaster risk reduction project under the EDF 9.

Youth in East Honiara attend crime prevention workshop

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Facilitators and participants during group discussion.

OFFICERS from the National Community Policing Department of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have successfully conducted a workshop with 20 youth in the Naha 1 community in East Honiara on September 15, 2018.

This workshop was based on the Crime Prevention Strategy and SARA model.

“This programme is a first of its kind to be held in Honiara City and it is very encouraging to see youth and other members of the Naha 1 member taking up the responsibilities and ownership to look after their community,” says Sergeant John Manegaua of the National Community Policing Department.

“By attending this workshop the participants are now equipped with the right tool to assist them deal with any problem that might arise and assist their elders and leaders in looking after their community to ensure they are safe and live in a peaceful environment.”

“This is a very good training for our young people to prepare them with responsibilities and I want to encourage the participants to implement what they have learnt and work together with your Police to make your community a happier place to live in,” says Sgt Manegaua.

The Solomon Islands Police Support Programme (SIPSP) funded by the Government of New Zealand assisted in coordinating the workshop.

–POLICE MEDIA

Climate change is a fundamental human rights issue and should be legally contested as such

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, earlier this month, the Pacific Islands Forum stated formally that climate change represented the “single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and well being of the peoples of the Pacific,” and why I believe there must be greater emphasis on legally opposing those nations and corporations unwilling to accept the scientific evidence of climate change

Before coming to the Solomon Islands I worked as the Senior Legal Administrative Officer to the Member of the Executive Council, who held the portfolio of Minister for Safety and Security in the North West Province Parliament in the “new” South Africa – 1995-1996.

Much of my work on behalf of the Minister was to teach human rights to the re-created South African Police Service (SAPS) following the many years the members of the police service had spent serving under the former apartheid style of government.

In carrying out my duties I worked closely with specialist human rights educators seconded from the Raoul Wallenberg Institution in Sweden.

Since those days I have followed the work in human rights teaching and education by the Swedish Institution but also, closely, the work of the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

I looked for guidance from the Danish Institute before putting pen to paper for this piece and I saw the support I needed to put my case across when claiming climate change should be contested as an abuse of human rights.

I will quote from the Danish Institute’s website.

“The links between human rights and climate change are gaining more attention, and National Human Rights Institutions can play a key role in reducing global warming.

“Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges of our time. This calls on the global community to limit greenhouse gas emissions and fight global warming for the benefit of both present and future generations. A case from the Philippines shows that the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) can play a key role in actions on climate change.

“Climate change directly and indirectly affects a range of specific human rights, such as the right to life and the right to health. Therefore states must mitigate climate change and prevent its negative human rights impacts. Moreover it implies an obligation on corporations to protect people from climate change harm and other related human rights violations since corporations have a responsibility to respect human rights and to do no harm.

“The United Nations Human Rights Council has recognised climate change as a global problem, which has implications for the enjoyment of human rights. The Office of the High “Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has pointed out that climate change requires global solutions, which should build on and reinforce human rights commitments. OHCHR also advocates for “a Rights-Based Approach to Climate Change”, meaning that the main objective of policies that address climate change should be to fulfill human rights.

“Parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights…and intergenerational equity”.

“These advancements open a window of opportunities for legal cases against governments and companies for their contributions to climate change and global warming.

“Several cases of human rights violations caused by climate change have already been won in the courts of Pakistan, the Netherlands and USA.

“The Children’s Trust has supported climate cases in six different States in the USA, invoking the human rights of young American citizens. These cases involve young people who sue the Departments of Ecology (DEP) in their state. The cases are based on human (and constitutional) rights, for instance proclaiming to ‘securing the legal right to a stable climate and a healthy atmosphere for all present and future generations’. Several cases have been won as judges have ruled that existing schemes fall short and ordering annual reductions in greenhouse gases.”

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Voters reminded to vote wisely

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Mike Puia

AS the countdown for national general elections polling day continues, voters have been reminded to vote wisely.

Casper Diau, a former employee of Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), said this time round voters must show responsibility by voting people with integrity to lead.

Diau said it’s a concern that poor decision when voting has responsible for the country’s inability to move forward.

He said there are issues so important to the development of this country yet leaders fail to deal with.

An example provided is investment.

Diau said it is clear that in order for this country to develop, locals should own businesses and land.

Yet, he said foreigners do leaving locals to become strangers in their own country.

“Foreigners have occupied the city leaving no room for locals yet leaders sit back and watch,” Diau said.

He said foreigners should come and used assets that belong to locals.

Diau said the upcoming election is an opportunity for voters to make wise decisions that would move the country forward.

Climate change impacts women in rural Northeast Guadalcanal

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Kaio women’s saving club President, Virginia Poa.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Kaio women’s saving club President, Virginia Poa.

CLIMATE change is affecting women in rural areas of Northeast Guadalcanal and how they earn money, it is reported.

A woman from NE Guadalcanal, Virginia Poa, who is president of Kaio women’s saving club in Tasimboko area told Island Sun at Tasimboko earlier this week how climate change has and is affecting how they earn income to help support their families, other needs as well their savings.

Poa said when it rains, water supply is disrupted causing some of their members to fall ill.

She adds that when this happens they are unable to go to their gardens, all the more harvest and sell their crops, the main source of income for members of Kaio Women’s saving club.

Flooding was also emphasised as a challenge for the women whose gardens are also located near the river.

Poa says when flooding takes course, they are left with no crops to sell as they are washed away by heavy currents and travelling to the capital during that time is impossible.

While this remains a challenge for the women, Poa mentioned that water supply remains a major issue in her community.

She expressed that some of them have water tanks, some fetch water from a water well while others have to travel far from the village just to get water.

Kaio women’s saving club was established last year and members have begun saving from what they earn from the sale of root crops, fruits and vegetables at Honiara’s Central Market.

At times, they sell their produce at schools or organised community markets.

Poa furthers that what is earned at the end of the day goes towards towards family needs, their savings, children’s school fees and church contributions.

“We save fortnightly. Some members save up to 300 and others save $10 or more. The amount each member saves varies,” she said.

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