The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is pleased to announce that the inaugural National Women in Health Leadership Breakfast will be held on 10th December at the Heritage Park Hotel, as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Hosted by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, through the Solomon Islands Australia Health Partnership, the event will launch the Permanent Secretary’s Women’s Leadership Award. This new program aims to recognise and support women working in all areas of health – from clinical and administrative roles to community health, and the wider health workforce – and help and support them take on leadership roles. It highlights the Ministry’s dedication to improving gender equity across the health sector.
The event will also launch the Women in Health Leadership Committee. This group will help set long-term gender equity goals, create more opportunities for women to progress in their careers, and strengthen an inclusive and resilient health system. The breakfast will bring together MHMS executives, provincial health directors, development partners, and civil society representatives to endorse a shared vision for advancing women’s leadership in health.
Permanent Secretary Ms Pauline McNeil, who is championing the initiative, highlighted the urgency of addressing the significant gender gap in health leadership.
“Women are the backbone of our health workforce, yet only 4% of leadership positions within the Ministry are currently held by women. Their leadership is essential to building a stronger, fairer, and more resilient health system. The Award signals our commitment to ensuring professional women in the health sector have every opportunity to lead and influence the future of health in Solomon Islands. With the shared support and recognition of our men colleagues in the health workforce, no woman providing health services or help built health systems should be left behind in women leadership, opportunities for empowerment and opportunities to build their confidence and competence should be available and accessible for them regardless of status in positions, or location of duty,” Ms McNeil said.
This initiative reinforces the dedication of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and Australia to inclusive leadership and to ensuring women’s contributions and potential are fully recognised across the health system.
Know a woman who goes above and beyond to deliver better health outcomes to the community? Tag them in this post to celebrate what they do and why they are so great.
