BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Ms Azarinnah Zolela Stevens will play a key role in highlighting the pivotal role of young women and girls in addressing the climate crisis.
Representing the Solomon Islands Climate Action Network (SICAN) at this year’s 2024 Miss Solomon Islands Pageant, her goal as a candidate is to empower young women and girls to engage in climate change decision-making processes.
“The key message that I want to bring to our government is to give opportunities for women and to let more women into parliament and to participate in climate spaces,” she told the local media at the introduction which took place during a press conference hosted at the Pacific Crown Hotel, the sponsor for the 2024 MSIP.
Hailing from the beautiful Western Province Ms Zolela Stevens acknowledged the differences that hinder young girls and women from their full participation and contribution.
“When more women are in this space there is gender equality and when there is gender equality, we have ideas from various voices. So, this is my call to the government to give women opportunities to be in parliament because women’s voices are important too,” she said.
“I call on young girls to participate in climate change activities in the Solomon Islands. Climate change is real. Every day we have extreme temperatures and sea level rise that are affected directly and indirectly by climate change. And I want to call out to young girls -please raise your voices. advocating climate change is what I am here for,’’ said Zolela Stevens.
Miss SICAN’s decision to participate in MSIP 2024 stems from her commitment to advocate and raise awareness on the impacts of climate change on women and girls in the Solomon Islands according to SICAN’s Official Facebook page.
She sees Miss Solomon Islands Pageant 2024 as an opportunity to stand in solidarity with women of all ages, advocating for the value of women and to advance the role of women in contributing towards the sustainable development of the Solomon Islands.
