BY CHRIS ALEX
WOMEN in the Solomon Islands continue to face significant barriers to leadership and decision-making roles, despite their proven contributions to society, according to Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Freda Tuki.
Speaking at the National Museum Auditorium during the International Women’s Day in Honiara, Tuki highlighted the stark underrepresentation of women in political and business leadership. Since gaining independence in 1978, only eight women have been elected to parliament, and merely 17 have been elected to provincial assemblies since 1981.
“Women’s voices are also missing from many decision-making boards and commissions, with only 7% of women holding senior management roles such as CEOs,” Tuki said. “Furthermore, just 23% of business owners are women, and most of them operate in the entertainment and catering industries.”
She emphasized that these challenges are not unique to the Solomon Islands but are a global issue. A key barrier to women’s economic empowerment, she noted, is their disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic and care work.
“In the Solomon Islands, women work nine hours more than men on unpaid care work,” she revealed.
Tuki also recognized the vital, yet often unrecognized, role of women in peace-building and conflict resolution. She pointed out that global shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and climate-induced conflicts, have disproportionately affected women. Rural women, in particular, bear additional burdens during crises, including caregiving, food security management, and maintaining sanitation.
Despite these challenges, she praised the resilience and adaptability of women and called for immediate reforms. “To move forward, we need to change the way we have been doing things. We must act quickly and focus on making real, meaningful changes,” she asserted.
Tuki urged for affirmative actions to break historical barriers preventing women from accessing leadership roles. This includes policies that provide more opportunities for women to lead, earn, and benefit from natural resources. She also called for a collective effort to speak out against gender-based violence and harassment in homes, workplaces, and communities.
She acknowledged steps taken by past and present governments toward gender equality, such as ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2023 and launching related policies. Additionally, she highlighted the government’s initiatives, including the Women’s Economic Empowerment National Action Plan and the National Women’s Financial Inclusion Strategy.
During the event, Tuki officially announced the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy 2025-2030, marking a crucial step in ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for all individuals in the public sector.
“This policy is a testament to the government’s vision of non-discrimination, equal opportunities, and gender mainstreaming across all sectors,” she stated.
