BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
THE former officer manager of People with Disability in Solomon Islands (PWDSI) has taken up a new post in Suva, Fiji.
She is Savina Nongebatu, posted to become the chief deputy executive officer for Pacific disability forum which is based in Suva, Fiji.
In an exclusive interview yesterday Mrs Nongebatu told this paper that her contract is for three years and had already started working in April this year via correspondence (emails and phone calls).
Nongebatu said as a woman with disability, being posted as chief deputy executive officer is such a good feeling – ‘but let’s be clear that women’s work is not only for one particular woman’, she adds.
She said in taking up this new job she pays her respects to all women before her whom have talked and advocated about women empowerment.
“I pay my respects to all women before me who first talked about women empowerment up until now.
“It’s a good feeling to take Solomon Islands to another level of region and as for women with disability I guess this is an example in which it is possible through hard work in terms of doing what you need to do and talking to the right people,” said Nongebatu.
She adds, “creating partnership with the government and other established organisations in the country is another way they will able to realise and recognise your work.
“It’s an exciting emotion but it’s was possible through the hard work of many. I can only take credit from the little things that I do but otherwise big credit will go to the people who behind this , my family, my children and also my PWDSI members and staffs.”
Mrs Nogebatu left for Fiji yesterday.
