BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
YESTERDAY women and men of various ethnicity making up the city, and of different ages walked along the main street of Honiara, carrying banners, shouting and singing. Who are they? What were they celebrating?
They were women and men who gave their time to mark the International Women’s Day, an event held around the world to commemorate the struggles of girls and women.
Speaking during the opening of the programme, Minister for Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCF) Hon Freda Tuki Soriocomua highlights the event commemorated and witnessed yesterday is the day women and men around the world stand in solidarity to ‘Press for Progress –towards Gender Equality’.
She explained yesterday the country has witnessed and celebrated great progress in women advancement, something which was only dreamt of in the past generation – from the formal to the informal sector women have succeeded in their own areas of profession.
Tuki expressed the MWYCF is proud to work in collaboration to advance women’s empowerment and development.
On the same note she said the theme for this year’s IWD, “press for progress” signifies a motivational movement of gender advocators and gender sensitised institutions and organisations that have paved a way for women to excel and grow in enterprise, career and leadership.
On the same event Permanente Secretary (PS) of MWYCFA Dr Cendrick Alependava affirmed to participants, the event contributed in driving better outcomes for women.
He stressed it was through celebrations and targeted bold actions all can be equal players to press for progress and unavoidably create holistic gender equality, where it would become a better place to live with less domestic violence and violence against women.
Witnessing the celebration yesterday were representatives from the Australian High Commission, Madame Rachel Houenipwela – wife of the Prime Minister, representatives of the Solomon Islands government, permanent secretaries, government officials, members of the diplomatic community and development partners, partners in the private sector and commercial institutions, non-governmental organisations, women’s groups, women’s associations including youths within the capital.
MWYCF is the key host of the celebration with the support of stakeholders, and was held at the national auditorium building in Honiara.
See more pictures of the event on https://www.facebook.com/pg/theIslandSunNews/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1913567695640413
