Career Public Servant Awarded

A career public servant renowned for her fearless commitment to transparency and accountability in government has been honored with the RAMSI Special Coordinator's Award for Women, 2012.

Ruth Liloqula, who in 2007 became the first woman in Solomon Islands to be appointed Secretary to Cabinet, was presented with the award at RAMSI's annual Women's Breakfast last week.

Presenting the award, RAMSI's Special Coordinator, Nicholas Coppel said it seemed timely to "recognise that generation of Solomon Islands women who had broken through the barriers."

He said Liloqula has broken the barriers not only as the first women, but often as the first Solomon Islander to hold a post and in doing so had played a very real role in shaping their new nation.

Mr Coppel said he was delighted to be presenting the award to a woman renown for her discipline, diligence and dedication to serving her nation with courage and commitment.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Liloqula, in accepting the award said while she was humbled and honored to receive the award she also thought it was 'about time' that women be acknowledged for their efforts on behalf of the nation.

She said the grounding provided by her parents, family, culture and tradition of her province gave her sanctuary in times of need and when she faced backlash and challenge.