THE recently launched National Parliament Strategic Plan of Solomon Islands (2017 – 2021) has envisioned the participation of women in the highest level of decision-making.
Speaking at the launching of the four years Parliament Strategy Plan, the National Parliament, Civic Education Officer, Ms Marisa Pepa said in the 21st Century one of the greatest changes to democracy around the world was the inclusion of increasing numbers women as voters and politicians.
“Solomon Islands, we believe is heading there as well and parliament as an institution needs to be ready for such development”.
“Our vision is to be a modern parliament that fulfils its constitutional duties and effectively serves the people of Solomon Islands,’ said Marisa Pepa.
The Civic Education Officer said the developing education, outreach work of parliament and representative role of MPs are objectives in the strategy.
“In the last strategy 2012 – 2016, it provided for gender programme but it was only on building and empowering young potential women leaders leaving out young men, staff of parliament and MPs.
“Since 2014, we tried to engage young men as well, but given the terms of reference, it is quite rigid and it was a very successful programme and we have seen a lot of young women build their confidence in using parliamentary processes to influence government policies and a lot more who who become key leaders in different fields,” Ms Pepa said.
She added that the successive women’s mock parliament have been held through the gender programe.
“Through the gender program, we’ve held successive women’s mock parliament and worked with various stakeholders in advancing the gender in this nation and abroad.
“We strive to be a modern parliament, thus thrive to integrate ideas that fit into this day and age, also we’ve always wanted this parliament to be fully representative in the sense that both men and women are equally making decisions at this level,” the Civic Education Officer said.
Meanwhile, the Chair of Public House Committee Honourable Derrick Manuari said the National Parliament Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021 is an important step to maturity and institutionalization of democratic structures and culture.
