4 November 2015
Solomon Islands’ First for Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development
The Advisory Board of Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Pacific Women) held its third meeting in Honiara yesterday. This is the first time that the meeting has been held outside of Australia.
Natasha Stott Despoja, Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls chaired the meeting.
“It is a privilege to work with such passionate and experienced Pacific Islanders who are working to improve the lives of women, men and children across the region,” Ambassador Stott Despoja said.
“The insights and advice of the Pacific Women Advisory Board are essential to ensure the program is well targeted, responsive to the needs of Pacific island countries and is consistent with Pacific Island beliefs and culture”.
Pacific Women is a major ten-year initiative funded by the Australian Government, which aims to improve political, social and economic opportunities for women in the Pacific. The program aims to help Pacific countries to meet the commitments made in the 2012 Pacific Leaders’ Gender Equality Declaration.
The Advisory Board comprises 12 eminent women and men from across the Pacific. They work in a wide range of areas – government, bureaucracy, private sector and civil society – and are strong advocates for gender equality in their own communities. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Secretariat of the Pacific Community are also represented on the Board.
In addition to the meeting, the Board members will attend the launch of a new initiative to tackle family violence, Red Cardim Violence; visit Honiara Central Market to see the work of the Markets for Change program; and meet with representatives from the Solomon Islands Women in Business Association. This will provide an opportunity for the Board members to see different programs supported through Pacific Women and how they are helping to change the lives of women, men and communities in Solomon Islands.