BY NED GAGAHE
The Women in Executive Leadership Solomon Islands (WELSI) has renewed its call for greater representation of women in senior executive and decision-making positions, saying stronger partnerships and institutional support are needed to break barriers to leadership.
The call was made during WELSI’s Women Connect Breakfast and Panel Discussion Networking Event at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on Thursday, July 9.
The event brought together women leaders, government officials, private sector representatives, development partners and educational institutions to discuss challenges facing women in leadership and to identify practical pathways to increase women’s participation in executive roles.
Panel discussions focused on the progress and gaps in women’s representation, barriers to advancement into higher decision-making positions, leadership development and executive capacity building, mentorship and sponsorship, institutional support, and opportunities to strengthen women’s leadership pathways.
WELSI President Pamela Naesol Alamu in a statement said the discussions provided participants with a clearer understanding of the opportunities and strategies needed to support women aspiring to leadership positions.
“The dialogue created stronger partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders and renewed engagement and strengthened networks among WELSI members and women leaders across sectors,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Aaron Pitaqae said promoting women into higher decision-making roles is not only a matter of fairness but also a strategic necessity for national development.
“While challenges remain, the opportunities for enriched leadership and societal progress are immense. By addressing structural barriers, challenging biases, and fostering supportive environments, we can unlock the full potential of women leaders and drive meaningful change across all sectors.
“As members of our society, women deserve respect and recognition. This is not just about recognising women because they are part of us; it is about making meaningful change because it will benefit everyone. Government and organisations must now accept that women’s participation can have a positive impact,” Mr Pitaqae said.
Participants highlighted several barriers that continue to limit women’s progression into leadership positions.
These include deeply rooted patriarchal attitudes and traditional gender roles that view leadership as a male responsibility, limited access to professional networks and mentoring opportunities, gender bias in recruitment and promotion processes, and the challenge of balancing leadership responsibilities with family and community obligations.
Despite these challenges, the forum acknowledged that positive progress has been made through national policies and programmes that aim to support women to advance into leadership roles.
WELSI said it will continue to facilitate dialogue and collaboration with key stakeholders to promote inclusive leadership and create more opportunities for women to progress into senior executive and decision-making positions across the country.
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