Fifty members of the West Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) attended a Gender Based Violence, psychological first aid and basic counselling skills workshop held from the 22nd to 24th March at Kopo village, Waisisi harbour, West Are’Are, Malaita Province.
The workshop was aimed at empowering WARA members with information which will help them to make right decisions and deal with issues affecting their families and their communities.
In her opening remarks, President of Zone 3, Mrs Irene Meteka said having the workshop for members of WARA is a unique opportunity provided to discuss issues of concerns about the wellbeing of their communities.
“I am happy that my zone can host this workshop because it is an important information empowering workshop where members can to learn, share and plan how we can all work together to deal with issues affecting our families and our communities.”
The workshop which was facilitated by Family Support Centre (FSC) counsellors Andella Maria and May Eroi of the Auki centre, covered specific topics such as gender, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, rape, legal rights, psychological first aid and basic counselling skills.
Ms Andela who facilitated the workshop said, it is important women are empowered with this information because it helps them to make decisions that enable them to uphold their human rights and enjoy safety in their lives.
“We are grateful for WARA to involve us in this training. This is just the beginning and Family Support Centre as an organisation will continue to work with WARA to raise the status of women and children through the services it continues to offer,” Andella who is FSC’s Senior Counsellor told the participants at the workshop opening.
The workshop covered important information on how individuals can deal with the different issues affecting their families and how these issues can be dealt with professionally to avoid further problems.
Miriam Urieke, President of WARA Zone One of Heo village said she is so fortunate to attend the workshop because it gave her the skills and knowledge to deal with the many complicated situations she has to deal with as a leader in her community.
“It is no mistake that WARA has prioritised this workshop for the members. Our society is experiencing so many social issues we have not encountered in the past.
“Substance abuse, family breakups, increase in domestic violence and the list goes on so we must all rise up to these challenges. But we need to be equipped with the right information. This workshop has come at the right time.”
The outspoken President told the WARA members to be bold, brave and confident to face the many challenges ahead.
During the workshop participants discuss the gender roles and responsibilities women and men held in society and how they can work together to help address the pressing issues affecting their communities.
Margaret Walo, President of Zone 13 of Su’urii village said the workshop sessions were very interactive and participatory and participants’ participation was overwhelming.
“We used the opportunity as well to share our issues of concerns and raise our frustrations over how services that were supposed to reach our communities are not available.
“When we encounter physical violence that we cannot handle at home we try to seek Police help but if the service is not close to home we suffer in silent. We women and children are so vulnerable that such workshops encourage us to think positive and look at possible solutions that are available. There are men and other groups who are supportive who can help as well.” she said.
All the participants before they left the workshop expressed their appreciation for what they learnt. One of them is Zone four President, Christina Patanikeni who said, “I have gained one of the important information I have not heard before in my life. I have come to realise that the different violence we learnt about if someone committed against another person they are liable to imprisonment. And no one is above the law.” She said.
Meanwhile, WARA Program Manager, Jennifer Wate, thanked FSC, a local NGO established in 1995 to address the high incidence of domestic violence, sexual abuse, child abuse and rape in the Solomon Islands for the invaluable contribution to WARA’s work in facilitating the workshop.
She highlighted at the workshop closing the task WARA members will undertake in sharing the information with their families and community members.
“Your awareness plan is the next thing to do. Organise yourselves and prioritise which information you think you will be able to share with others. You might want to start with your family, a group you are a member of or you can arrange with your chief or church leader to identify a time you can inform your community of what you have learnt,” she told participants.
She thanked DFAT through the partnership WARA has with the International Women Development Agency (IWDA) for the funding support which made it possible for the workshop to be organised for the members of WARA.
Similar workshops are scheduled to be organised for other sister saving clubs in Guadalcanal and Western Province this year. The workshops are organised as part of the Savings club training package WARA continue to offer for its association members.
