BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
MINISTER of Infrastructure Development, Stanley Sofu has called for more women and young people to start venturing and get engaged in Maritime industry.
During last week’s launching of the first-ever women’s maritime association (SIWIMA), he said more women and young people needs to join the pioneers to help lead towards autonomy and that the expertise of the Maritime sector would become ever more important.
“We encourage women and young people, not just the men, to gain a good education and take up the opportunities that we have in an industry that is one of Solomon Islands major employers.
“Our domestic shipping is a good place especially for women to be employed. On some shorter ferry boat they can leave and return on the same day,” Mr Sofu said.
He said in terms of the gender balance it is heavily weighted in Solomon Islands in favour of women.
“Hence we must look to encourage as many women as possible into this industry,” Sofu said.
In relation he said there are also opportunities in international trade; especially cruise liners, which Solomon Islands female maritime personnel can fill some of the vacant positions advertised for various liners overseas.
ENDS/////////////// with Hon Stanley Sofu’s photo.
