Nishimura's Pen

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO We all have dreams and ambitions that we would want to achieve in life. All successful people men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose. Some would eventually fulfill their dreams while others chose to take another turn, or not able to reach the line. Clezzer Bennie  Clezzer Bennie a young female Nurse Aide who hails from Marovo Lagoon in Western province shares her story after successfully completed her Pre- Diploma Nursing program. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Solomon Women Newspaper, Ms Clezzer said she works as Nurse Aid at Hellen Goldie Hospital for eleven years. Ms Clezzer said she preferred her current career path because back in her young age, she used to admirer nurses and health workers in their uniform. Later she came to realise that it’s not all about the uniform but about caring a...

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO ALLOW your own mother to serve you says the only contesting female candidate amongst the five contestants for Central Guadalcanal constituency. Contesting candidate Jacobeth Vari Maneiria during the launched of her campaign strongly urged the people of Central Guadalcanal to give their own mother a chance to represent and serve them at the national parliament.   “My children in Central Guadalcanal allow your mother to serve you and you will be like olive chute around the table of your home land and the men and women will be as kings and queens at the city gates” said Maneiria. She said vote a woman, vote a mother that practices Godly principal if you want to see change in the society, home and nation because mothers a great managers who knows the needs that home, communities, society and nation requires to move forward.   Maneiria said for the past 40 years men have been representing Central Guadalcanal constituency in the...

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) has called to treat women and girls equally in sectors of life across the country. “A woman is woman and they should be treated equally. We must treat them equally in all sectors of life, our behaviors and attitudes must be respectable and honorable to our women in Solomon Islands so that they can excel to develop our country,” said PS Cendrick Alependava. Permanente Secretary of the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Cendric Alependava  Alependava addressed women should be treated equally side by side because they are biologically different. He said this means they have special roles, functions and responsibility that should be respected. With is call he adds by encouraging all country women and girls to build and think big.   “Build smart women and to think big, you are formidable force in the popul...

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO PEOPLE’S Alliance Party (PAP) President Sir Nathaniel Waena says PAP still maintains its support for Ms Freda Tuki, former Member of Parliament for Temotu Vatu’d constituency and former Minister for the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA). Former Member of Parliament for Temotu Vatu'd constituency Ms Freda Tuki  “The People’s Alliance Party retains its support for Ms Freda Tuki , who was disqualified by the High Court as Member of Parliament for the Temotu Province’s outlying –VATUD Constituency,” Waena said. He said as far as PAP is concerned, the support for Ms Tuki remains despite the High Court decision. Sir Waena stressed that she can contest the VATUD constituency in the upcoming 2019 National General Election under the People’s Alliance Party’s (PAP) banner. It is understood that Tuki was ousted pending a high court ruling on a petition made by her predecessor after she won her seat in the 2014 ...

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...