BY JOY OFASIA
THE Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) had a special visitor—none other than Miss Solomon Islands, Elsie Polosovai.
The reigning beauty queen’s visit on Friday 22, November marks an important step in SIPPA’s ongoing efforts to reach a wider audience, especially young girls and women, with vital health services.
In an interview with SIPPA Board Treasurer Lilly Chekana, it was evident how significant this collaboration could be.
“Having Miss Solomon Islands come to visit the organization is a way for SIPPA to reach out more,” Chekana told SOLOMON WOMEN.
With a strong partnership between Miss Solomon Islands and SIPPA, there is hope that more people will learn about the resources available to them, helping to create a healthier, more informed community.
She highlighted that Miss Polosovai’s position as a public figure gives her the ability to raise awareness about the crucial services SIPPA provides, particularly in the areas of women’s health, sexual health, and contraceptive access.
“Miss Solomon advocates more in women’s health and having her visit SIPPA is part of our strategy to encourage more youths, young girls, and women to access the services we offer,” Chekana said. “We see Miss Solomon as someone in a better position to help drive our advocacy plan. She has the platform and the influence to encourage people to engage with SIPPA and learn about our services.”
A key area of focus for SIPPA, as Chekana highlighted, is increasing awareness of contraceptive options, which remain underutilized in many rural areas due to cultural and religious barriers.
“A lot of people in the village are unaware of the services we provide, especially contraceptives,” she said. “But the sad reality is that these health challenges are real, and Miss Solomon can help us spread awareness about their importance.”
Elsie Polosovai, for her part, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with SIPPA.
“I am very grateful to have this opportunity to visit SIPPA and hear about the organization’s challenges and successes over the years,” she said. “It’s been an eye-opening experience, and I look forward to working together to raise awareness about important health issues in our communities.”
Polosovai, as Miss Solomon Islands, will support SIPPA’s advocacy efforts, focusing on sexual health in rural communities. This collaboration will help break down barriers and promote better health education for women and young people.
