BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE inaugural Solomon National Feminist Forum, which is part of this year’s 3rd Pacific Feminist Forum 2022 is scheduled to be held next week at the Holy Cross Hall, Honiara.
The theme of this year’s 2-day event is “Strengthening and Embracing Leadership Diversity in the Solomon Islands in a Fast Challenging and Challenging World.” The event is expected to see the participation of local women’s organizations, groups, and individuals in the country from the 15th and 16th of November 2022.
This year’s inaugural event is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the ‘We Rise Coalition and the European Union in the Pacific – UN Spotlight Initiative Programme.’
The Co-Founder of Women in Media and Solomon Islands Ender Rence said that the Solomon National Feminist Forum is made up of three women’s rights organization’s working group, which is Women in Media, People with Disability, Development Services, and Exchange.
“This Working Group is organizing the first ever-National Feminist Forum for the Solomon Islands,” Ender Rence said. “The National Feminist Forum aims to bring together diverse women to reflect on key issues governing gender equality and women’s rights.”
Ender said that the event will also be exploring how Solomon’s policies have changed to increase women’s participation in leadership and what are some of the key barriers that hold women back.
“How can we advance gender equality for the Solomon Islands in the next 5 years?
“On behalf of the Working Group for the Solomon Islands National Feminist Forum, we would like to extend a formal invitation to the inaugural event that is taking place on 15th and 16th November) at the Holy Cross Hall,” she said.
She said that the forum’s panel of discussion will be based on the event’s theme: ‘Strengthening and Embracing Leadership Diversity in the Solomon Islands in a fast Challenging and Challenging World.’
“This Inaugural Solomon Islands National Feminist Forum will be a remarkably important event for Solomon women to discuss what changes are needed to take place to advance gender equality and frame the advancement of feminism within the context of the Solomon.
“This an important and remarkable event for Solomon because at the end of the two days’ forum, an outcome statement will be produced outlining key outcomes discussed during the forum.
“This outcome statement will connect and solidify the voices of Solomon women, highlighting our calls for reinforced commitment and collective actions towards gender equality and the protection and strengthening of women’s human rights in the Solomon Islands.
“The two days National Feminist Forum will also be a space to celebrate the achievements of diverse women and how far we have come, honoring the contributions of other pioneers who have come before us and envisioning a better future together,” Ender Rence said.
Meanwhile, a copy of the draft program has been enclosed for your information. If you like to RSVP or should you have any further questions about our National Feminist Forum, please contact our forum coordinator Ender Rence at 7831230 endernrence@gmail.com/Sammy Kwalea7932011-ianetasammy@gmail.com
