THE Solomon Islands Women in Business Association (SIWIBA) has celebrated its 10th years anniversary yesterday highlighting SIWIBA’s history from where it all begins.
The anniversary celebration coincided with SIWIBA monthly Mere market that runs for this whole week, and will end tomorrow.
“This anniversary is a milestone for SIWIBA, an honour to share it with everybody the 10 years journey of the organisation,” SIWIBA president Dalcy Tekulu remarked.
Mrs Tekulu applauded various organisations, NGOs and government ministries that have supported the organisation in its 10 years.
She said, SIWIBA strives to address economic empowerment for women.
“The vision of SIWIBA is to inspire women to realise their full potential, importance and status. For women to be recognised and respected in Solomon Islands society.”
She highlighted that SIWIBA need more tents to accommodate its increasing number of numbers and the support to micro-financing activity.
She also took the opportunity to acknowledge the women who made the dream a reality.
“Who (the women) around and spent months planning with no initial financial support but determined to have an established association for our local women in business.
“Their effort was signed and sealed 4th December 2004 and today, 10 years later we celebrate with so much gratitude for the vision with a humble beginning and continuously growing with God’s abundant blessing.”
Australian High Commissioner, Andrew Byrne congratulates SIWIBA for their 10th anniversary.
“I think it’s more inspiring to think back 10 years how SIWIBA came to be at that particular time, I understand that originally only six women were involved in generating the idea for SIWIBA.
“I think it’s important as we looked back to 10 years in the past to acknowledge and to honour the pioneer effort of those first women who work so hard to bring SIWBA into creation.”
He said those early founders of SIWIBA recognised that the women’s role in business is an opportunity for women to get involve into business, its more than just making money.
“Of course it is very important to have an income when you have mouths to feed and school fees to paid but perhaps more importantly, women is involve in business in a country like Solomon Islands, gives them a space in the community, gives them a voice and gives them a more control over their own lives.
“And I think that’s a very important idea, the one that continues to these days.”
Mr Byrne highlights it is one of the reasons Australian High Commission are very focused on the economic empowerment of women in Solomon Islands.
“And all of the work we done in Solomon islands and round the world and developments shows that when women have more control over their economic circumstances, more control than their economic finances it generates better development outcomes for the whole family and for the whole of society.”
SIWIBA website was also launched yesterday which is declared by SIWIBA president Mrs Tekulu.
The website was sponsored by Japan International Cooperation Agency in Honiara.
The ceremony highlighted the cutting of cake by High Commissioner Byrne, SIWIBA president and SIWIBA coordinator Nina Tuhaika to mark the 10th anniversary.
The program ends tomorrow.
By TRIXIE CARTER
