WOMEN contribute so much to sustaining this country in the agricultural sector by providing most of the labour force in the subsistence economy which is the backbone of this country.
The deputy Prime Minister, Douglas Ete highlighted this at Women Innovation Expo on Monday at Art Gallery on Monday.
He said,yet this work is not counted as productive in our national gross domestic product (national GDP).
“Women spend three times more than men in their food gardens yet they do not have access to proper market to sell their crops, and contribute to health care.
“Women spend a lot of time at home doing everyday jobs and continue to make a contribution to the country’s economy.”
Mr Ete said,women make up half of this nation, yet they have limited access to opportunities such as employment, decision making and protection from violence.
He said, there is no shortage of capable women in Solomon Islands hence it is good to note that the Honiara Council of Women has made a commitment to be guided by a strategic plan and has a mission to develop the capacity of women.
“We are not strangers to the challenges which come with living in a city like Honiara we live in a diverse community of more than 60, 000 people.”
Mr Ete said almost half of the population of Honiara are females.
The expo which was opened on Monday by Mr Ete which is being organised by Honiara Council of Women.
It will close this Friday.
By TRIXIE CARTER