Women in Solomon Islands Malaita Province harvest Taro. Photo: RNZI Courtesy of SPC
Identifying barriers to gender equality and proposing actions to overcome them is the focus of a week-long forum now underway in Solomon Islands.
More than 80 representatives from rural communities are in the capital Honiara have joined various workshops.
Women in Solomon Islands Malaita Province harvest Taro. Photo: RNZI Courtesy of SPC
The inaugural National Women's Forum will conclude on Friday with an outcome statement being presented to the government and its donor partners with the aim of guiding future policy.
A co-convenor of the forum, the Director of Vois Blong Mere Solomon Islands Josephine Teakeni said it is an important opportunity to present a united voice on issues facing women in the country.
Ms Teakeni said this includes extremely high levels of violence against women, the lack of women's representation parliament and economic empowerment of women, especially in rural areas.
"We are moving forward in terms of support to the work we do. However there are also many barriers. We realise it is a big job it is a long process but we have to start somewhere and that is why this forum is held this year," she said.
The National Women's Forum is being organised by several women's advocacy groups and organisations in collaboration with the ministry of women.
The intention is for it to become an annual event to inform government and international donor agencies about the issues facing women in the Solomon Islands.