Nishimura's Pen

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO THE implementation process of the Women’s division policies and Act under the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) have been hindered by some ‘bumps’. This was reported by Freda Tuki Soriocomua, Minister of the MWYCFA at the recent opening occasion of the Solomon Islands National Women’s Leadership programme in Honiara. Freda Tuki Soriocomua, Minister of the MWYCFA Tuki voiced the encountered challenges in implementing these policies and act rises from different aspects. “These including having few staffs working at the women’s division, geography of our islands – scattered, transportations difficulties, not enough funds to implement women’s activities, traditional and cultural perception on women as a leader, not enough support to family care centre, not enough support to Christian care centre,” she said. However if these challenges are being addressed there wouldn’t be any delay in fulfilling them (policies and...

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO EXCLUSION of women from political and decision making positions has been a challenge to active political engagement in Solomon Islands, says Dr Alice Pollard. Mrs Pollard said the exclusion of women from political leadership and decision making positions is a serious and critical matter for all. “Our absence at the key Political leadership speaks volumes, it is our core business and that is why we are sitting here today,” she said. Dr Alice Pollard Pollard said the story of the Solomon Islands Political history shows that women’s political journey is one struggle, yet of persistence and remaining hopeful. She said figures have shown that women’s political participation is low, it stated that we have only had four successful female candidates in our story and currently four successful female provincial members of three different assemblies. “Our absence at these key political leadership positing means that our voices cannot b...