BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Miss Lauru now, Miss Solomon Islands 2024, Elsie Polosovai has called for the empowerment of women in the agricultural sector.
Ms. Polosovai said during the Miss SI Pageant 2024 pre-pageant speech competition held at the Pacific Casino Hotel in Honiara on Friday last week.
She said that implementing policies that open doors to provide access to vital information and offer the resources and training needed for our women to thrive in agriculture is vital.
“And as women, we must rise and take our place in leadership in the agricultural sector to shape a healthier, prosperous, and sustainable future, not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come,’’ she said.
She said that when women are empowered to have the innovation their challenges will be turned into opportunities, ensuring better nutrition and livelihood for all.
“The 2022 National Assessment of Food Systems in the Solomon Islands highlighted that location, poverty, and gender discrimination barriers have affected our national and nutritional health outcomes. Empowering women in agriculture addresses these barriers, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable food security system,’’ said Ms. Polosovai.
“Let’s look at the bigger picture. The concept of food security in agriculture for the Solomon Islands is not only about increasing agricultural output. However, it must be considered as fundamental to the livelihood of Solomon Islands as a nation,’’ she said.
She stated that the Solomon Islands has an alarming rate of non-communicable diseases, whereby 67% of these are dietary-related NCDs.
“Empowering women with nutritional knowledge and healthy cooking skills enables them to prepare balanced and nutritious meals for their families and encourages their families to buy from local food markets. By promoting locally-based diets, we can reduce the consumption of highly processed foods, the key contributors to NCDs,’’ she said.
She also highlighted the importance of seeking economic alternatives for women in the country.
“Agriculture promotes a flourishing mixed economy that includes both government and small-scale farming. Through inclusive political will and supportive policies, our women can benefit from expansive employment opportunities created by our agri-manufacturers,’’ she said.
She said that this would enable women to thrive and engage fairly in trade and the exportation of agricultural products, driving our economic growth.
“Our women are at the heart of these efforts, and they are the cornerstone of agriculture and societal traditions. If we empower them with the capacity, they will transform lives and build more resilient communities,’’ said Ms. Polosovai.
