Women and allies, including the 11 Outstanding Women of Solomon Islands, attended this week´s workshop; Photo credit: Daniel Gonzalez/UNDP
As Solomon Islands prepares for the next General Elections slated for April 2024, many hope to see increased participation of women candidates and subsequent elevation of women chosen to serve in the National and Provincial Governments.
A collective force of approximately 50 women and their allies converged at the Outstanding Women of Solomon Islands Reflection and Planning Workshop, held from August 7th to August 11th in Guadalcanal Province, to rally participants toward making this happen.
The workshop, which includes women community leaders from all nine Solomon Islands provinces and Honiara, is organized by the Outstanding Women of Solomon Islands, a coalition of influential women community leaders supported by the Strengthening the Electoral Cycle in Solomon Islands (SECSIP) project, an initiative of the Solomon Island office of UNDP Multi-Country Office in the Pacific with the support of the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The gathering showcased the nation’s collective commitment to shaping a more inclusive political landscape.
A statement from UNDP says a key objective of this workshop is to empower and amplify women’s voices within the political realm.
“By fostering engagement in the electoral process as candidates and providing comprehensive training opportunities, the workshop bolsters the leadership and political prowess of women across the nation,” the statement said.
“Beyond the electoral sphere, the workshop’s overarching mission also encompasses celebrating women’s leadership and enhancing their decision-making and political skills in hopes of increasing women’s overall participation in public affairs,” it added.
Afu Billy, President of the SOI National Council of Women and workshop coordinator, emphasized the broader significance of this event: “This week is a testament to women’s vital role in community and national development. We are bolstering their confidence, propelling their leadership to extend its impact beyond their local communities.”
Enthusiasm fills the room as ideas, plans, and projects are dreamed up, aiming to improve their exposure at the ward, provincial, and national levels.
Rumors circulate among participants, hinting that some are already considering a run for office.
Crystal Maui, from the RenBel Women Provincial Council, during the workshop; Photo credit: Daniel Gonzalez/UNDP
The Pacific region harbors the world’s lowest representation of women in elected bodies, and the Solomon Islands are no exception.
Out of the 50 Parliamentary seats, only four are held by women.
This represents the highest number of women ever elected – only six women MPs have been elected since independence. Undeniably, challenges persist, but positive transformation is underway.
The SECSIP project contributes by channeling effective support to advance women’s political representation.
The Women Candidate Program, of which this workshop is a vital component, strives to redefine the political narrative and narrow the gender gap in leadership roles.
For elections to be credible and legitimate they must reflect the diversity of society.
Historically, women, youth and persons with disabilities (PWD) faced formidable barriers to participate in the electoral process.
Many of these obstacles stem from socio-cultural elements, with a strong patriarchal system and clan and familial identities playing a fundamental role in shaping people’s political allegiances and electoral preferences.
The Outstanding Women of Solomon Islands, an institution launched in 2019 by SECSIP, is playing its part by enhancing the visibility of women leaders at national, regional and local level.
Eleven “Outstanding Women” were elected at provincial level between representatives of the Provincial Council of Women.
They are all outstanding women and one of them, Florence Vasaro is leading the way of political representation since she got elected as Member of the Provincial Government of Choiseul Province.
She considers her new role “challenging because I am the first woman ever acting as such but I see myself filling up a considerable gap bringing in the interests of women and children in the decision-making of my community and also my perspective, the way I see things is different from men. While men tend to look at bigger pictures, I concentrate more on the details”.
With the 2030 Agenda as a guiding thread, UNDP works to advance women’s participation in civic and political life, their economic empowerment and their role as builders of peace and resilience.
Advancing women’s leadership and encouraging them to take leadership roles is an integral part of SDG 5 with target 5.5 aiming to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunity for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for peace, people and planet.
