Australia has reaffirmed its ongoing support to rural Solomon Islands women.
Speaking at an event to mark the International Day of Rural Women, Australian High Commissioner Andrew Byrne said this is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the special role that rural women have in their families and communities.
“Women are the heart of the family, being primary carers for children, working and managing family gardens and maintaining family links and social security systems” said Mr Byrne.
“Many women also provide an important source of income for their families by selling their produce at markets, establishing savings clubs or operating a small business. These women are assets to be valued and cherished.”
“Through our support to rural communities, we know that in villages where women play an active role in village committees, not only does the status of women improve, but the committees are far more effective and highly regarded by the community. Village projects are also completed more quickly,” said Mr Byrne.
High Commissioner Byrne was a guest at the ‘International Day for Rural Women – Empowering Rural Women to be Agents of Change’, organised by the UN Women Solomon Islands and the Honiara Central Market Vendor Association.
The event is part of UN Women’s Markets for Change Project which aims to ensure that market places in the Pacific are safe, inclusive and non-discriminatory and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. The project is funded by the Australian Government.