THE Solomon Islands Tobacco Company (SITCO) has committed itself to empowering its women by adopting an approach that looks to empower women through women.
This is carried out under the umbrella, Discover & Expand your Wings (dubbed DEW) which is an initiative taken by SITCO women to participate in motivational discussions with some of Solomon Island’s most inspirational women.
Women empowerment in Solomon Islands is a hurdle which many are committed to overcome in order to improve the welfare of women and the nation as a whole.
The DEW initiative invited women such as Atenasi Ata (former CEO SICCI), Ethel Sigimanu (former PS Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services), Juanita Matanga (Deputy Commissioner Operations Royal Solomon Islands Police Force), women advocate Dr Alice Pollard, Pamela Alamu (CEO Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants), Ruth Liloqula (Head of Transparency Solomon Islands) and Natalina Hong (Current CEO of SICCI) who shared knowledge relating to personal and professional challenges in their journeys.
Among the messages shared, women were encouraged to be confident in taking up challenges in their respective fields and to persevere during difficult times. Besides this, the importance of having a strong support system from home was also highlighted as key to women reaching greater heights.
The combination of success stories from the speakers was key to transformation of mindsets for the younger DEW members.
24-year-old staff, Kylie Alekevu said that the DEW sessions inspired her to take control of her life at work and also at home.
“Stories shared by the speakers increased my confidence in women- we are definitely capable of taking the lead in improving our society,” said the young lass.
Women empowerment and gender equality is essential for Solomon Islands in achieving its Millennium Development Goal.
At SITCO, about thirty percent of employed staff are women with also thirty percent female representation in top level management.
