BY NED GAGAHE
Around 70 female students from five schools in Honiara visited the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre as part of activities to mark International Women’s Day 2026 on Friday last week.
The event aimed to inspire young girls to consider careers in the infrastructure sector while also introducing them to the services that will soon be provided at the new health facility.
The initiative highlights Australia’s ongoing support for creating pathways that encourage more women to participate in infrastructure-related professions in Solomon Islands.
Students who attended the program came from Naha Community High School, Panatina Community High School, Elia Community High School, Florence Young Community High School and Bua Valley Community High School.
The event included a panel discussion featuring women who have worked on infrastructure projects supported under the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP).
The discussion, titled “A Career in Infrastructure: Pathways, Opportunities and Challenges,” featured four female professionals involved in the construction of the Naha facility.
Panellists included Netanya Tolinao of Reeves Icon, Daisy Roddy, a leading hand in carpentry with Reeves Icon, Philippa Ramofafia, a former community liaison officer with Kramer, and Winnie Sulumae, a civil engineer with Kramer.
During the discussion, the speakers shared their professional journeys, the challenges they faced, and the opportunities available for women interested in infrastructure and construction careers.
Students also watched a video presentation highlighting stories of women who have worked on SIIP-supported infrastructure projects across Solomon Islands.
The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, allowing students to engage directly with the panellists about career opportunities in the sector.
The program also included a briefing on the new health facility by Honiara City Council (HCC) Health Director, Dr Lawrence Diau.
Counsellor for Infrastructure and Finance Development Operations at the Australian High Commission, Amy Sheridan, also delivered remarks highlighting Australia’s support for infrastructure development and gender inclusion initiatives in Solomon Islands.
Students and guests later toured the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, guided by women working on the construction site.
The tour marked the first opportunity for members of the media and community representatives to view the facility, which is currently under construction but nearing completion.
Once completed, the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre is expected to provide improved maternal and urban health services for communities in the Naha catchment area.
The work on the new Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre is more than 90 percent complete and is expected to reach completion by the end of this month.
Photo credit: Ned Gagahe
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