This week, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) is shining a spotlight on women’s achievements and their crucial role in nation-building as part of the International Women’s Day 2026 celebrations in Honiara.
One such inspiring story is that of Fiona Siosi, a lab technician at the ministry’s Construction Material Laboratory. Since joining the ministry in 2014, Fiona has risen through the ranks, becoming a senior officer specialising in quality assurance. She was the first female to be employed in this unit, which serves under the Transport Infrastructure Management Services Division. Her journey exemplifies resilience, professionalism, and the drive to break gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Fiona’s daily duties revolve around testing building materials, calibrating machines to meet standards set forth, and training new engineers in construction material testing protocols.
Her work ensures the safety and quality of small and big infrastructure projects implemented across our islands by contractors.
Known for her easy-going nature and self-respect, she enjoys working closely with her male colleagues. Though disagreements occasionally arise, she emphasises that they are always resolved amicably.
One challenge she shared: “Sometimes my voice is not fully heard”—a challenge she attributes to cultural perceptions rooted in Melanesian society, where male voices often take precedence.
“Maybe it’s because of our cultural background, where men’s voices are more dominant,” she explains.
“But I keep pushing my ideas forward, respecting boundaries, and showing that women can contribute just as much.”
One of Fiona’s proudest moments was being the first female to undergo training for accreditation in the laboratory, a milestone that demonstrates these labs’ continuous commitment to achieving full recognition in the Asia Pacific region supported by NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) in Australia.
“It motivates me to excel in this field of geotechnical work and open doors for future collaboration,” the technician reflected.
The lab also has an existing arrangement with training institutions like Solomon Islands National University’s Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) and other training centres. Their students applied and did their practicum and part-time job as fresh graduates at the lab.
Fiona said she has helped young women who came through the lab and encouraged them to pursue specific careers in quality assurance and materials testing, fostering gender diversity.
Fiona advocates for gender equality, believing that female contributions bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions.
“When women are in technical fields like this, progress in all operations will always accelerate,” she states confidently.
She envisions a future where a woman takes the helm at the lab and continues to push boundaries.
Addressing workplace challenges, Fiona emphasises the importance of self-respect and setting boundaries. She believes women should be empowered to voice their ideas and decisions confidently.
“Women’s voices must be heard in male-dominated spaces,” she asserts.
“We should not remain silent but stand firm for our rights and contributions.”
Fiona, of mixed parentage from Malaita Province and Western Province, is also a proud mother of two children. Her supportive husband plays a key role in her daily tasks, fostering a harmonious balance between her professional and personal life. She credits her husband’s understanding and encouragement as the foundation that enables her to excel at work and home.
Fiona’s story reminds us of empowering women in the productive sector for a more inclusive and progressive future.
This lab technicians’ message resonates with this year’s theme: “Save lo Raets Blong evri Women En Gels Fo Helpim Kamapum Gut Vois Blong Olketa” (Knowing the Rights of Every Woman and Girl to Help Them Become Strong Voices) & “Aksonim Justice Fo Buildim Wanfala Seif En Ikol Future” (Empowering Justice to Build a Safer and Better Future).
Meanwhile, the lab continues to make strides in providing quality assurance and testing for construction materials. They generate between $200,000 and $300,000 in revenue per month through testing activities, proving its potential as an economic resource within the construction industry.
The lab’s current services include site investigation, pavement testing, aggregate testing, soil testing, and geological assessments.
Its operations were boosted with the recent arrival of 12 state-of-the-art machines, such as a Marshall Stability Testing Machine, Penetrometer, Ductility Testing Machine, Bitumen Extraction Unit, Universal Testing Machine and a California Bearing Ratio (CBR) Testing Machine.
Development partners like Australia, Japan, the CAUSE II Project and private contractors have stepped in past years, donating and supporting test machines and conducting trainings for the staff.
With the upcoming implementation of the National Building Code, the laboratory is set to expand. The ministry has allocated funds to design and construct a modern, spacious facility that will enhance its testing capabilities and meet future demands.
