Nishimura's Pen

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO WOMEN have played vital roles in producing positive long lasting economic results of the country but have been limited by some factors, it is reported. This was reported according to the recent Community perceptions of gender norms and economic opportunity in Solomon Islands report. Rural women working hard to earn money for living. PHOTO Supplied  The study finds out that in Solomon Islands women’s capacity to engage with business and contribution towards the country’s economy have been restricted by some influences. These factors are violence, sexual assault, black magic practices, limited decision making rights, poor access to finance and lack of training opportunities. Despite this challenge Strongim Bisnis and Oxfam International have engaged and support rural women with some activities to lessen this worrying matter. The engagement undertaken is basically through providing support for rural women’s savings club, organizi...

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO WOMEN market vendors from North West Guadalcanal will no longer have to face the hassles they have suffered in the central market in the years past. This is because they now have one market venue of their own. This was dealt with through the handing over of the temporary market facility from Bodo Dettke, Member of Parliament for North West Guadalcanal constituency to the women and youth of his constituency. The issue had been reportedly lack of space for women and girls from Guadalcanal to sell their products in the Honiara Central market. Mary Korina  Mary Korina an outspoken women representative for North West Guadalcanal thanked Dettke for preparing the temporary venue to sell their home grown products to earn money. “Thank you Hon Dettke for this venue many times we are victimised at the Honiara Central Market and unfortunate to have our products properly placed on the tables to be sold. “This is due to lack of space to s...

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO MAJORITY of students studying at the University of South Pacific USP throughout the campuses in the region are women, says Professor Rajesh Chandra. Professor Rajesh Chandra: PHOTO Supplied “Majority of the students are women throughout the campuses in the region,” said Chandra, outgoing Vice Chancellor of USP.   Chandra said this is because USP believes in gender equality and gender based equality. He said the highest quantity of female alumni from some countries is above 60 percent and for Fiji is around 67 percent.     “The proportions of women graduates in some countries are above 60 percent, Fiji is around 67 percent, so the women have moved way up,” said Pro Chandra. He voiced more than 50 percent are from Samoa and other countries and a little less from Solomon Islands.     “In Samoa and other countries more than 50 percent, except for Solomon Islands, which is a little less.” said C...

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO CHIEF Benjaman Samanea of Numbu community in North East Guadalcanal has encouraged women and girls of the community to save money whenever they can save. Solomon Islands women engaged in saving money initiative: PHOTO Supplied  He expressed this statement in a recent visit made by Mrs Gale Commence, president of the Women of the World’s Pacific Region, to the women of Numbu and Marava communities. Samanea urged all women and girls of his community to save money as they are vulnerable to ‘several hazards’, for instance the pest African snails, climate change, cyclone and earthquake. Samanea said with the introduction of this saving scheme he has seen with his own eyes and come to realise that women and girls of his community can also make money to save to secure the future of their families. “This because in today’s world, money is the most important resource which gives strength and confidence in any situation which you are not...

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO LAND owners of Ontong Java airstrip have called to reopen the airstrip of Ontong Java to ‘help breathe life back into the communities of the forgotten people of Malaita Outer Islands’ (MOI). This call has been made because there is no access to air travel and this year there has not been a ship in months, leaving the landowners struggling. The airstrip was closed down more than a decade ago due to land dispute. What used to be the Ontong Java airport which has been overrun with vegitation However, the situation has been resolved by the courts and landowners have approached Mrs Wendy Mount a female intending candidate for MOI in the upcoming National General Election to help them to get the runway back operational. Speaking to Mrs Mount about this matter, she said since the airstrip was shut the people of MOI have had a lowered standard of living, and have been denied regular access to delivery of goods and medical assistance. ...

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...