BY JOY OFASIA
Michelle Maelaua, Head of Corporate Services at the Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA) –Solomon Water, shared her journey as a woman in leadership, the challenges she faced, and the progress made for women in the organization.
Speaking at the 9th Pacific Water and Wastewater Ministers Forum and the 16th Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference and Expo in Honiara during a session focused on inclusion and people management, Michelle highlighted the gender gap within SIWA and the need to create more opportunities for women leaders.
“Currently, 34% of our workforce at SIWA are women,” Michelle explained. “But only 7% of those women hold leadership or supervisory roles. That number hasn’t moved much over the years.”
Michelle stressed the organisation’s commitment to change. “As we’ve rolled out our Corporate Strategy Plan for 2024 to 2028, we’re taking steps to improve that ratio. We’re not only investing in building capacity but also in creating the space and support for women to grow.”
A key initiative under this plan is the Leadership Pathway Programme, a six-month development programme supported by the World Bank. Michelle proudly shared that ten women from SIWA are now part of this practical and immersive leadership journey.
“It’s not like the usual training sessions,” Michelle said. “This programme is about understanding leadership as a process — about how to influence, build trust, and align your team to a shared vision.”
She spoke candidly about her own growth through the programme. “I used to spend most of my time dealing with management tasks. But this helped me see clearly the difference between management and leadership — and to make more intentional leadership decisions.”
Michelle also reflected on how the programme encouraged self-awareness. “It made me think about how we communicate as leaders, how we make decisions, and how that affects our team. It’s about creating clarity, alignment, and commitment.”
However, the journey has not been without its challenges. “There’s always the struggle of sustaining new habits as a leader,” she admitted. “But I’ve learned that there’s a time for everything, and managing that time well is part of leadership too.”
Michelle was one of three women leaders from SIWA who presented at the conference, all of whom shared powerful stories of growth, reflection, and resilience.
Her message to other women in the workforce: “Leadership isn’t about position. It’s about influence, vision, and the courage to grow — not just for ourselves, but for those we lead.”
