BY CHRIS ALEX
UNITED States of America Embassy in Honiara representative Kristine Marsh reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting women’s empowerment through business education and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Speaking during the international women’s day in Honiara, Marsh acknowledged the organizers and the Ministry for the opportunity to participate in the celebration. She also extended her appreciation to the Australian High Commission for their collaboration on the event.
Marsh used the platform to highlight the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), a program previously offered in the Solomon Islands, which provides women with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop and sustain successful businesses.
The initiative connects local women entrepreneurs with a broader regional network, allowing them to learn from each other and engage in exchange opportunities.
“AWE is designed to equip women with practical skills needed to create sustainable businesses and enterprises. It fosters a learning community and provides a structured opportunity to explore the fundamentals of business development,” Marsh stated.
She outlined the eligibility criteria for the program, emphasizing that applicants must be at least 18 years old, have an existing business that has been operational for at least 12 months, hold a minimum education level of Form 6, and possess basic computer literacy. The latter is particularly crucial, as participants will engage with Dream Builder, an online business course developed in partnership with Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and Freeport McMoRan, a global mining company.
Participants will also need to provide a business profile, two recommendation letters, and preferably an IPA certification and business financial records such as a bank statement or bookkeeping records.
The program, which is offered free of charge, aims to empower women by providing them with the tools and networks necessary for financial independence and long-term business success.
“As a woman, I understand that financial independence is tied to independence in all aspects of life,” Marsh said. “That is why we created this program—to give women the tools they need to achieve that independence.”
She encouraged interested participants to stay informed about the next iteration of the program, which will be announced on the U.S. Embassy’s Facebook page and upcoming website.
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs is part of the broader U.S. efforts to support gender equality and economic empowerment in the Solomon Islands, fostering a community of resilient and successful women-led enterprises.
