Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Jeremiah Manele, has made a historic appointment by naming Hon. Cathy Nori, MP for Maringe Kokota, as the first-ever female Deputy Chair of Caucus.
This significant milestone was announced at Manele's inaugural reception for dignitaries.
The appointment marks a step towards greater gender representation in the Solomon Islands' political landscape.
“If memory serves me correct, we have never had a lady as Deputy Chair of Caucus,” Manele said.
Following his election two weeks ago, Prime Minister Manele promptly filled all ministerial positions, including appointing Hon. Namson Tran as Chair of Caucus and Hon. Nori as his deputy.
Manele emphasized the importance of upholding democratic processes and highlighted that this new government, under the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT), aims to foster inclusivity and gender equality.
Caucus held its inaugural meeting Tuesday last week while the cabinet held theirs on Thursday.
“We hit the ground running and had our first formal Caucus session on Tuesday and first formal Cabinet meeting on Thursday. I think we have formed the government in record time, which says a lot about the unity, solidarity and our seriousness to serve our people,” Manele said.
At the reception on Thursday, Manele pledged his Government for Unity and Transformation’s (GNUT’s) vision to aggressively address the country’s economic challenges and called on all stakeholders to broadly support the Government’s policies to achieve this vision.
“All of us have in our hands the power and responsibility to carry Solomon Islands forward. The government, private sector, civil societies, churches, and every man and woman across the four corners of this country have that obligation,” he said.
“The future of this country is in our hands collectively. It is everyone’s business. We must all work together to build a better Solomon Islands for our children and their children. This is our solemn duty that we must uphold,” he added.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit