By Loretta B Manele

Australia is redoubling its efforts in infrastructure projects in Solomon Islands.

Rod Hilton, Australia’s high commissioner said he is pleased to say that Australia is redoubling its efforts to make sure that more infrastructure projects go to Solomon Islands’ companies.

Hilton raised this when he spoke at the “Women in Infrastructure” Breakfast Forum last week.

He said for them, success in their infrastructure partnership with Solomon Islands is not just what they build but in how they build it.

He expressed that they see success as having more Solomon Island companies building infrastructure.

“We see success as having more skilled workers here in Solomon Islands part of that building effort. And we definitely see success as having more Solomon Island local jobs as part of that effort. Locally led development just makes sense.”

He stated that it is about infrastructure and its ongoing maintenance, but it is also about economic growth and jobs.

Hilton said Australia has been working with local companies for the last three years.

Under this partnership, he added that they have delivered training and mentoring to local suppliers and contractors, big to small, so that they are ready to manage and deliver infrastructure to a high standard.

In relation, Hilton said they have recently announced 500 TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) scholarships for Solomon Islanders which will support 10 rural training centres here in Solomon Islands to deliver practical skills to young people, including women.

He also mentioned that their infrastructure program and the Australia Pacific Training College together with the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) have also taken nearly 40 young women through women-only construction and solar power certification programs.

To top that off, Hilton said last week, he was honoured to announce Australia’s newest investment which is a $49 million investment to strengthen women’s leadership, economic empowerment and to end violence against women over the next three years.

He said through these initiatives, they are bringing more local economic development, more skilled workers and more jobs to deliver on what communities and the government need.

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-Ministry of health announces arrival of new supplies following 3 weeks of scarcity at hospital

-Shipment for provinces this week: Ministry

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Blood bags are back in stock and are in use, the ministry of health (MHMS) announced yesterday.

This follows three weeks of no blood bags available at the national referral hospital (NRH).

But, the shortage was felt two weeks prior, a senior doctor at the NRH told Island Sun on condition of anonymity on Monday, adding that a month earlier hospital authority had been informed of the dwindling supply of blood bags.

Despite this, hospital authority did not respond and three weeks ago the last blood bag was used, and people who came later to donate blood for their loved ones were told to go and pay blood bags from commercial pharmacies, the doctor said.

A citizen who requested to be called only by his first name, John, told Island Sun two weeks ago that he and his siblings were told they had to purchase their own blood bags when they went to donate blood for their mother who was suffering with cancer.

A nurse who was present confirmed John’s story but asked to not be identified.

“Since last week, we have run out of blood bags,” the nurse said.

Yesterday’s announcement by MHMS is bound to bring relief but the NRH doctor warns that this cycle of continuously facing shortages at the NRH will go on if the hospital authority carries on with its ‘reactive system’.

“Hospital authority are not proactive, reacting only to problems,” the doctor said.

“Therefore, under the current regime, the hospital will continue to face shortages of medicines and accessories, and public will continue to suffer during the shortage period, then hospital authorities will react and order new stock and make media announcements, then the cycle repeats when these new stock finishes,” the doctor said.

Yesterday’s MHMS media statement explained that the blood bag shortage had resulted from “a specification error during the procurement process that affected reduced blood supplies over the past two weeks”.

“Following successful discussions with the supplier and with now the replenishment of blood bags, routine services including blood collection, transportation, safe transfusions, and blood donation drives are now back to normal, providing essential support for patients across the Solomon Islands.

“The availability of these supplies is critical for the well-being of individuals who rely on blood transfusions due to medical conditions, surgeries, or emergencies,” the MHMS statement said.

Meanwhile, the MHMS statement said blood bags and other medicine supplies are also bound for other health centres around the country.

This implies that the problem of blood bag shortage is not restricted to Honiara alone.

“In addition to the delivery of blood bags, other general medical supplies are being prepared to be dispatched to several provincial health centres this week, to ensure continued access to healthcare throughout the country,” the MHMS statement said.

“Supplies will be dispatched this week to the following health facilities: Totongo Rural Health Centre, Nila in the Shortlands, Tingoa Area Health Centre, Bonala Nurse Aid Post, Pelau Nurse Aid Post, Tulagi Hospital, Kirakira Hospital, Taheramo Area Health Centre, Buala Hospital, Kilu’ufi Hospital, Malu’u Hospital and Seghe Hospital.”

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By Loretta B Manele

Women play an important role in society thus society cannot be without what women can bring to the table.

Kristine Marsh, public affairs officer from the US embassy stressed on this while speaking at International Women’s Day (IWD) event last week at the National Museum Auditorium.

She said one fact is certain and that is we cannot afford to be without the insights and input of women into our free-market economies and democratic societies.

Marsh voiced that women from all generations and backgrounds have been integral to the prosperity and productivity of our economies and processes around the world.

“Welcoming women as full partners allows societies to harness the strength of 100% of us.”

Marsh stated that global competition is too strong for us to shut anyone out, hence we must constantly focus on taking down the barriers that put women at a disadvantage and give all our efforts to have women participate on the basis of merit, side by side with men.

She pointed out that women have so much to share in a variety of fields and platforms as history has proven, however it is not enough to empower women.

In this regard, Marsh said we must all keep in mind the need to build the confidence of those who are new to leadership and other roles.

“That’s why the US Embassy here in Solomon Islands also has this programme, Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, which is one way that we are supporting Solomon Islands women to be leaders in entrepreneurship.”

Marsh added that the need for support also points to the importance of men as allies and advocates.

She also expressed that women are not just helpers but doers, changemakers and bosses.

“A dear Solomon Islands friend of mine noted that in the Bible, there is a common reference to women as helpers, but she said that in the U.S, it is more than support, it is someone who really adds enormously to any given moment, who makes a big impact on that experience or situation, and in other words, women are more than helpers.”

She highlighted that today and every day, the daughters of Solomon Islands ignite the dreams and develop the character of our next generation.

“Your contributions to excellence are worthy of praise and recognition now and forever.”

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By Loretta B Manele

Today, very few Solomon Islands women fill in jobs in the country’s infrastructure industry and normalising women in this industry should be the goal.

Namoi Kaluae, SICCI (Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry) chairlady spoke about this at the “Women in Infrastructure” breakfast forum last Friday at the Heritage Park Hotel.

She expressed that it is crucial for us to continue to advocate for policies that support women, promote training programmes and create inclusive workplaces.

Kaluae added that empowerment must come from all levels and everyone has a role to play.

“Speaking of empowerment, we also explored whether things are getting easier for women in infrastructure.

Are we at a point where we can normalise women in this field or do we still need to advocate and lobby for more representation?”

Kaluae said she believes that normalisation should indeed be our goal.

She stated that it should be a norm for us to have women working in the infrastructure sector and not just an exemption.

Addressing young women from the infrastructure sector at the forum, Kaluae said their commitment and voice to empower women in the sector is invaluable.

“Let us keep the momentum we’ve built today and carry it forward, advocating for each other, celebrating and most importantly, championing each other’s successes and ensuring that we create a brighter future for generations to come.”

Kaluae noted that they are part of a movement, a collective effort to uplift women in infrastructure and this should now be a legacy.

“There is no limit to what women can do.”

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BY NED GAGAHE

A new initiative under the Gender Action Plan (GAP) at the Tina River Hydropower Project Office is empowering local women by partnering with the Bahomea women’s group to supply fresh vegetables and fruits to Hyundai Engineering Company’s (HEC) kitchen at the project’s campsite.

This inaugural collaboration marks a significant step towards promoting women’s economic development in the region.

The Tina River Hydropower Project Office has announced that, in the future, the Malatoha and Belaha women’s groups will also be included in this initiative.

A statement from the Tina River Hydropower Project Office stated, “This initiative is not just about providing fresh produce – it’s about empowering women and recognizing their important role in our communities and the economy.

“By involving women in this process, we’re boosting local businesses and creating sustainable livelihoods for families.” The statement said.

The GAP initiative continues to focus on creating more opportunities for women, ensuring they are at the forefront of growth, progress, and sustainability in the community.

The Tina River Hydropower Project Office remains committed to fostering women’s involvement in local economic development and supporting gender equality.

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By Loretta B Manele

Learning from challenges can drive us women to move from one point to one that works for us.

Kristina Sogavare, vice president of the National Council of Women (NCW) expressed the sentiment on International Women’s Day at the National Museum Auditorium last week.

She said women must acknowledge challenges they face in the past because these challenges are the stepping stones that get us to where we are today.

“I am here because I’ve learnt from those challenges.”

She stressed that our challenges point us to move on to a different avenue because the first one didn’t work out.

Sogavare went on to talk about the challenges that are still present today for women.

She said challenges like gender bias, unequal opportunities and underrepresentation are still here.

Sogavare stated that these are significant obstacles that women face and the reason why women strive every day for a better Solomon Islands for their children.

She emphasised that we must address this gap if not we will still be talking about in 2026.

Sogavare also spoke about the day’s theme which was “Leadership and Inclusion”.

She said the leadership and inclusion are very important pillars of the community.

On that note, Sogavare stated that women regardless of cultural background or denomination, all have the aspiration to change and potential to lead.

“Today, we come to celebrate the achievements of women leaders who have broken the glass ceilings and shattered stereotypes. You have come a long way with your stories of resilience.

That is why a young woman leader like me can be able to stand today and address you because you have provided that avenue for me.

Thank you for that respect you are giving to young leaders like me and for paving that way and for including women leaders like me to stand and address you on this momentous occasion.”

Sogavare expressed that all women in Solomon Islands are beacons of hope for each other and for the future generation.

She also encouraged women to make changes and that doesn’t mean having to go to parliament.

“You can make a change in your homes; you don’t need to go to parliament. That change can made in your homes, work spaces, church and communities.

That space is a God given space for you.”

Sogavare also highlighted that inclusive leadership is not just a role but a necessity.

She emphasized that when women are included in the decision-making process, they are bringing together a diverse perspective and will be able to include women in every single environment regardless of what community, denomination or organization they come from.

Sogavare said we should think and renew commitment so that we can create a more inclusive and equitable community.

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