Australian High Commissioner Dr. Lachlan Strahan urges all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to achieve gender equality in the Solomon Islands.
He was speaking at the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration in Honiara on Monday.
It’s his first time to celebrate the event in the country since being appointed to the position.
Therefore he said, it won’t be his last.
Speaking on the occasion he said it’s important to realise women’s rights.
He said women need to have access to equal rights.
Therefore, he added IWD is a time to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
“And to reflect on the challenges before us.”
He added that 25 years after the Beijing Declaration and the platform for action there’s much to do.
“We need to accelerate gender equality,” he said.
He acknowledged that women have been playing vital roles in SI for generations.
“Women are food producers, managers of resources, home keepers child-bearer and child educators. In some areas, they are the designated custodians of the land
“Over time we have seen significant change – the roles of women, their ability to participate in the broader society have expanded.
“Some of these changes go back further than we might think,” he said.
He further acknowledged local women who have served over the years in politics.
He said more and more SI women are stepping forward as leaders.
He made reference to the current three female Members of Parliament (MP), four female permanent secretaries and others who serve as judges and magistrates
He also hailed women who are taking leading roles in education, businesses, sports, media, engineering, police and fire and rescue, and many more organisations.
Dr. Lachlan highlighted that the latest global gender equality index has just been released and no country on the face of the earth has achieved gender equality.
“Sadly UNDP’s gender social norm index said 90% of people, men, and women are biased against women.
“This is deeply worrying.
“At the same time, the UNDP report indicates that there’s a backlash against gender equality in some quarters,” he said.
The High Commissioner also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of gender equality.
“It’s about fundamental human rights and its simply smart,” he said
He pointed out that gender equality is critical to achieving economic growth resilience, poverty reduction, stability and preventing conflict.
“We don’t need to collect the data, we already have absolutely compelling evidence,” he said.
He assured that Australia is walking shoulder to shoulder with SI to address economic empowerment, women in leadership and ending violence against women.
He also acknowledges some of the partners such as; Seif ples, YWCA, Pacific Girl, World vision’s Chanel of Hope project and others for supporting the women in the country.
He then appealed to men to support women and other men to achieve gender equality in this country.
Monday’s program featured a parade, speeches, entertainment, and talks.
