BY JOY OFASIA
Women leaders from the health sector in the Solomon Islands have completed the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) Public Speaking and Media Engagement Training in Honiara.
The training, which started in February, is the first activity of the WLI. It included a series of online sessions followed by a two-day workshop. The focus was on helping women communicate clearly, speak confidently in public, and engage effectively with the media and community stakeholders.
The initiative aims to give women leaders practical tools they can use immediately to share the purpose and achievements of WLI. By building strong communication skills, participants can better advocate for women’s leadership in the health sector.
Merilyn Roy Vana, a Health Inspector from Western Province, said the training was eye-opening. “It taught me that I can be a leader, even in my current role. I now know how to provide services confidently within my level,” she said.
The Senior Health Promotion Officer from Guadalcanal Province added, “This activity helped me understand the importance of women leaders showing leadership in the workplace. It will inspire other women colleagues to work together and support each other.”
The training divided participants into three smaller groups to allow for deeper discussion and more personalized learning. This approach was chosen to build confidence and capability among WLI Committee members, as well as provincial and headquarters female focal points. These women will be the key voices of WLI as it grows across the country.
The WLI is part of the Solomon Islands Australia Health Partnership. It was created to provide pathways and opportunities for women to advance in the health system. Through the initiative, women at all levels of the health workforce can access leadership development, mentoring, training, and other professional growth opportunities.
The program hopes to build confidence, strengthen skills, and support career advancement for women. By equipping women with these tools, WLI aims to foster stronger female leadership and create a more inclusive and equitable health sector in the Solomon Islands.
