PROVIDING inspiration to the next generation of women leaders of Solomon Islands was the key reason for compiling the first ever book on Solomon Islands female leaders, says its co-editor, Dr Alice Aruheeta Pollard.
Being The First: Storis Blong Oloketa Mere lo Solomon Aelan tells the stories of 14 Solomon Islands women who have broken through barriers, charting their journeys to positions of leadership in their country.
The book includes the stories of current and former Solomon Islands Permanent and Under Secretaries, the Clerk of Parliament, Taeasi Sanga, and the first and only Solomon Island female parliamentarian since Independence, Hilda Kari.
Dr Pollard, who is an advisor on RAMSI’s Women in Government program, said that Being The First represented over two years of work.
“The idea of this book first came about in early 2008, as we noticed there was a lack of historical records about the women of Solomon Islands,” said Dr Pollard.
“From there, we began talking to key women in leadership roles past and present, about their childhoods, their education and the challenges they faced throughout their respective journeys.
“I hope that, in some way, this book serves as a positive inspiration for the next generation of women in Solomon Islands,” she said.
Former PM and current Solomon Islands Speaker of Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea, who officially launched the book as part of International Women’s Day celebrations, said that Being The First was a collection of real life’s struggles and touching personal and professional success stories of some of ‘our great women in a world or society which they clearly acknowledged as male dominated.’
“By their own self-respect and determination, these women refused to accept such cultural perception, belief and expectation and decided to make a difference.
“They refused to be spectators in the process of our nation building and had rather decided to be equal partners with their male counterparts in this challenging and worthy endeavour,” Sir Peter said.
Sir Peter, who strongly believes in women’s participation and representation in government, said another encouraging and positive aspect of the stories of the women in Being The First is that while our cultural values, norms and taboos must be respected in context, they should never inhibit any woman who wishes to make a difference in her family, community, the church and her nation today.
“Lest we forget, it must finally be restated that these successful professional working women are equally the loving mothers of their children and committed wives of their husbands at home.”
Suzanne Bent-Gina, the Deputy Director of the RAMSI Machinery of Government program, which has supported the book’s publishing, said that Being The First was a strong example of the strength of partnership between the Solomon Island Government and RAMSI.
“The book was developed as part of the joint Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI Women in Government Strategy which was launched in November 2007.”
“I have no doubt that the women profiled in this book provide strong leadership examples for current and future generations of Solomon Islands women and men.”
Permanent Secretary to the Solomon Islands Ministry of Women, Youth and Children’s Affairs, Ethel Sigimanu, who is one of the 14 women profiled in the book, said Being The First represented an important step in the push to improve gender equality in Solomon Islands.
“This book has taken us another step towards the advancement of women into decision-making positions,” said Mrs Sigimanu.
“These are ordinary women who were not born with silver spoons in their mouths. They too, have had to struggle with the challenges of life – like being able to afford to get their children to school,” she said.
“It is about people looking at where they are now, and seeing that women can indeed rise up – and can do great things for this country.”
Being The First: Storis Blong Oloketa Mere lo Solomon Aelan is available online through Pacific Media Centre, (www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/publications.shtml) for NZD27 plus postage.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
