BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Miss Tulagi Jayn Soakai has appealed for more women’s participation in environmental and climate change policy decision-making processes.
Miss Soakai said during the Miss SI Pageant 2024, a pre-pageant speech competition held at the Pacific Casino Hotel in Honiara Friday last week.
She said that women in the country are challenged by the rising negative consequences of climate change and environmental degradation and do not have much ability to raise their voices about the changes they seek.
“The expectation to provide for the household continues to grow under these pressures and along with it, the added burden from our ultimately changing environment, we become underrepresented in most decision-making conversations towards issues such as the rising sea level, intensified tropical cyclones, declining marine ecosystem and loss of fertile land is causing more social tensions,’’ she said.
She said that the roles women perform through these changes therefore become a critical turning point to help create solutions that reflect the needs of our communities to offer a way forward.
“Firstly, we can increase their participation in decision-making processes where environmental and climate policies are shaped and also invest in women-led initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation,’’ said Miss Jayn.
“Furthermore, this support must also come from our men. Finally, recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women as we progress is also important to build women who feel valued and inspired to get involved more,’’ she said.
She stated that Women have always been the backbone and the heart of the communities, deeply connected to the land and the natural resources that sustain us.
According to Miss Jayn, while some have the comfort to make ends meet, the majority remains the most vulnerable.
She said that the role of women is known to be more home-oriented, to leave and, sorry, to build a safe home.
“Today, I see beyond a mother, a sister, a grandmother tending to the needs of her family. I see working-class women, young and senior, breaking barriers in participation in society. From the very few in male-dominated occupations and leadership positions to the many who work off the land as farmers and cleaners.
“I genuinely admire our women for all their immense effort, their display of generational care and cultural continuity demonstrates our natural ability to be community leaders in promoting sustainable practices,’’ Miss Tulagi, Jayn Soakai said.
