BY CHRIS ALEX
In partnership with local businesses and entrepreneurs, the U.S. Embassy launched the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Solomon Islands cohort during an official event on Wednesday 25 September at B Natural Café, Honiara.
The AWE program initiative aims to support and empower local women entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools, resources, and networks they need to succeed.
In his opening address, Mr. Anthony Calegari, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, commended the participants for their dedication and praised their role in strengthening the local economy.
“By engaging your diverse talents, you are taking steps to improve the lives of you and your families,” Mr. Calegari stated. He encouraged the cohort to persevere through challenges, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and mutual support among participants.
U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer to Solomon Islands Kristine Marsh also spoke at the launch, congratulating the participants and highlighting the significance of the program’s expansion into the Solomon Islands.
“Your presence here is a testament to your dedication, talent, and unwavering commitment to strengthening PNG and Solomon Islands’ economies locally and internationally,” Ms. Marsh said.
She also thanked the partners, including the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs Alumni Association in Port Moresby and Mare Care in Honiara, for bringing the program to life.
Ms. Marsh further underlined women’s critical role in economic development, referring to the joint efforts of the U.S., Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands governments to increase women’s participation in the economy as a key component of foreign policy. She described the launch of the first AWE cohort in the Solomon Islands as a milestone achievement, noting that it provides local women entrepreneurs access to a global network of mentors, training, and support.
In response, Dr. Donna Wate, Managing Director of Mare Care Co. Ltd and Program Team Leader of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Solomon Islands, expressed her gratitude to the U.S. Department of State for its unwavering support in bringing the program to Honiara.
“This program would not have been possible without your vision and commitment to empowering women,” Dr. Wate said. She shared that the 2024 cohort consists of 33 women entrepreneurs ranging from 26 to 72 years old, representing various industries in the private sector. The in-person sessions have already fostered a strong community of “sisterhood in business,” where participants openly share their challenges, achievements, and business journeys.
The AWE program, supported by the U.S. government, is an integral part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, focusing on building a free, open, secure, and resilient region. With the launch of this first cohort in the Solomon Islands, the program is set to contribute to the long-term growth and empowerment of women entrepreneurs, creating opportunities that will ripple through local communities and drive innovation across various sectors.
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs will continue to offer training, workshops, and mentoring opportunities to the participants, helping them navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship while fostering creativity, problem-solving, and leadership in the Solomon Islands’ economic landscape.
