Female staff of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources have joined women from other organisations to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) in Honiara yesterday.
The Ministry’s Deputy Secretary Technical (DST) and team leader, Rosalie Masu said her fellow female staff were proud to join the celebration to demonstrate their support towards recognition of women throughout the country.
She thanked the Government through the Ministry of Public Service (MPS) for giving women in the Public Service an opportunity to join the celebration.
Masu said her Ministry had participated in this annual event, which falls on March 8 every year to acknowledge and highlight the important role that women in fisheries play in the country.
“We are proud to contribute as women in the fisheries sector which is an important source of income and food security for many women in the country,” Masu said.
Hundreds of women gathered at the National Museum Grounds on Monday after a march through Central Honiara to mark the event on the theme “Women in Leadership Achieving an equal future in a Covid 19 World”.
Speakers at the event include, Honiara City Clerk, Mr Rence Sore, Julie McCallum, Counsellor for Human Development and Minister of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs Hon. Freda Rotutafi Rangirei.
This year’s theme highlights women in leadership achieving an equal future in a Covid 19 world is fitting to women in particular right across the globe.
It recognises the tremendous effort by women and girls around the World in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the Covid -19 Pandemic.
A statement from the UN Secretary General report said, “Women’s full and effective participation and leadership in all areas of life drives progress for everyone. Yet women are still under represented in public life and decision-making”.
The report further highlighted women at the forefront of the battle against Covid-19 as frontline and health sector workers, as scientists, doctors and caregivers yet they get paid 11 percent less globally than they get their male counterpart.
Each year in Solomon Islands an IWD organising committee made up of representatives from government agencies, Honiara City Council and Provincial Governments, development partners, non-government organisations, SOEs and private sector organisations celebrate achievements of women and girls and also raise awareness on barriers that prevent the advancement of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in the country.
Source: Press Release