Women from all backgrounds and organisations turned up in numbers Friday morning to mark the annual International Women’s Day (IWD) with a parade from SMI in West Honiara to Honiara City Council (HCC) grounds.
Non-Governmental Organisations, Civil Society, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Correctional Service of Solomon Islands (CSSI) and the visiting Australian Army are among the groups who came out in big numbers to support the event.
During the event, the Head of Youth, Sports and Women Division of the Honiara City Council Mr Rolland Pauku also launched the Honiara Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment Policy.
The policy was implemented with the assistance of the council’s stakeholders, development partner, and Civil Society Organisation and community women’s group.
Stalls from various NGO’s were also erected on site with a fun filled day of entertainment by the CSSI’s band.
Speaking during the event the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Cedric Alependava highlighted the significant roles the women in the country contributed to the development of the nation.
“Today we celebrate the women’s success stories and also to encourage us of the bravery and lessons learnt in the struggle to bring the women’s experiences to light,” he said.
Alependava also touched on this year’s theme and encourages women to move forward and in leadership and entrepreneurship.
“The theme: Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovative For Change, speaks a strong message of the need to be innovative in our approach, to remove barriers and accelerate Gender Equality.” He said.
RSIPF also launched the new Gender Strategy.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year and is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights.
By GEORGIANNA MARGARET
