BY JOY OFASIA
The Women’s Rights Action Movement (WRAM) has concluded its second National Feminist Forum for Solomon Islands, bringing together women’s organisations, civil society partners, government representatives, development partners, community leaders and advocates for two days of dialogue on the future of the women’s movement.
The Forum, held on August 20–21 in Honiara, was organised as part of the Pacific Feminist Forum (PFF) and provided a space for participants to discuss issues affecting women and girls, while reflecting on the achievements, challenges and priorities of feminist organising in Solomon Islands.
Discussions during the two-day Forum covered a range of issues, including feminism in Solomon Islands, the history of the women’s movement, leadership, power, gender-based violence, inclusion, bodily autonomy and disability rights.
Speaking to SOLOMON WOMEN on behalf of WRAM, facilitating consultant Ms. Afu Billy said the Forum was intended to provide a safe and respectful space for participants to speak openly about their experiences and perspectives.
Ms. Billy said the Forum belonged to everyone involved in the women’s movement and was an opportunity to celebrate achievements while also having difficult conversations.
“This Forum belongs to all of us. It is a space where we can share our experiences honestly. A space where we can celebrate our achievements. A space where we can respectfully challenge one another’s thinking,” she said.
She added that participants needed to be able to discuss difficult issues while maintaining solidarity and mutual respect.
Ms. Billy also raised concerns about the dominance of male voices in discussions about feminism.
She said the continued prominence of men in conversations about issues affecting women could contribute to discrimination and the oppression of women, with negative consequences for women’s lives.
Her comments highlighted the importance of ensuring that women’s voices and experiences remain central to discussions and decision-making on gender equality and women’s rights.
The Forum also recognised the important roles women continue to play across Solomon Islands, including in communities, churches, families, businesses and institutions.
However, WRAM noted that women continue to face barriers to participation, leadership, safety and equal opportunity, making continued dialogue and collective action necessary.
The Forum provided participants with an opportunity to strengthen solidarity across women’s organisations and networks, reflect on the history and progress of the movement, and identify priorities for the future.
The gathering forms part of wider feminist organising across the Pacific, with the Solomon Islands Forum linked to the fourth Pacific Feminist Forum.
The 2nd National Feminist Forum for Solomon Islands (NFF) 2026 and the 4th Pacific Feminist Forum (PFF) are supported by Pacific Women Lead (PWL) at the Pacific Community (SPC), with funding from
the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the We Rise Coalition.
The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) is also a key partner supporting WRAM in hosting the Forum.
As the Forum closes today, participants are expected to take forward the discussions and priorities raised during the two days as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the women’s movement and advance gender equality in Solomon Islands.
