BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
SOLOMON Women online newspaper is seeking to extend its partnership with local women’s organizations, feminist groups, and political groups to create opportunities for them to report appropriately on gender inequality, and other relevant women issues in the country.
The Solomon Women online newspaper is under the flagship of Sunday Isles newspaper. It was introduced in 2015 to provide information and awareness on all issues relating to the promotion and participation of women in social, economic, religious, and developmental activities in the Solomon Islands.
The Publisher of Solomon Women Newspaper, Lynda Rose Wate Seni told participants at this month’s two-day held Pacific Feminist Forum at the Holy Cross Hall in Honiara from 5 to 6 December 2022 that the inaugural event was an eye-opener for her especially to create new partnerships and opportunities with other different women and men groups from other organizations in the country.
She said that besides creating new opportunities and exposing ways to advance gender equality in the Solomon Islands, she also wants to seek new partnerships with other organizations in the country as the best way forward in covering and reporting women and gender issues.
She said the media had a great influence in changing the thoughts and conversation around addressing gender inequality, women’s leadership roles, health, gender and violence against women prevention in the country.
“The intention of Solomon Women (as an online media platform) is to focus on the promotion and furtherance of issues affecting women in the Solomon Islands in building and exposing roles they play in development.
“As an initiator for Solomon Women Newspaper, I’m super happy to be part of the 2 days Inaugural Feminist Forum especially in working with other collective partners,” Lynda said.
She said the forum acts as a catalyst to identify answers to gaps.
“From the forum, I learned and identify answers to gaps.
“I do realize the importance to embrace men who continue to support us (women) to grow in all levels of decision-making in political, economic, public life, etc.,” she said.
The theme for the Pacific Feminist Forum 2022 is ‘embracing the collective power of our movement’ with the slogan, ‘moving forward in solidarity, embracing our diversity, tackling challenges towards achieving the famous quote ‘leave no one behind’.
Reflecting on the theme of this year’s forum – ‘‘Embracing The Collective Power Of Our Movements – Lyndah said the theme is a fine reflection for women to accept who they are in society, especially the differences each one may have, knowing women are the same.
“I believe with that clear mindset together we women can be makers to bring powerful changes in our communities,” she said.
Meanwhile, she thanked the Women Media in Communication Solomon Islands (WIMSI), People with Disabilities and Development Service Exchange, Volunteers, Native lens, Living Sustainability, Solomon Islands National Forum, Ilukim Sustainability Solomon Islands (ISSI) and other partners who made this forum a successful one.
