Features – Women/Youths

PRC supports West New Georgia/Vonavona women

As part of enhancing rural livelihoods and women’s economic participation the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has supported the West New Georgia/Vonavona Constituency (WNGVC) women in Western Province with funding support to purchase three bray boats. PRC provided SBD$100,000 and WNGVC topped it up with an extra SBD$50,000 from the Constituency Development Funds (CDF). The partnership enabled the constituency office to purchase the boats to support the rural mothers.…

Alarming infant mortality rate in Solomons

ON average, one infant dies daily in Solomon Islands, raising urgent concerns about maternal and child health services nationwide. This heartbreaking revelation was presented by Chief Medical Statistician, Rebecca Manelase, during the second day of the National Healthy Settings Conference in Gizo last  week. According to Manelase, a total of 15,831 births were recorded in…

SI woman dies in Aust from snake bite

A Solomon Islands woman has tragically died in Australia following a suspected poisonous snake bite in Katherine, Northern Territory. The late Fiona Peace Tonafalea, 40, collapsed at a business premises on Pearce Street on Sunday, three weeks ago.  Emergency responders, including St John Ambulance paramedics and local police, rushed to the scene and performed CPR, but she was pronounced dead. Investigations suggest she was bitten…

RSIPF women officers join policing conference 

Four women Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) officers last week attended the 2025 Australian Council of Women and Policing (ACWAP) Conference and the 26th Excellence in Policing Awards in Melbourne. The travel arrangement was funded by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Policing Partnership Program, and RAPPP Advisor Vanessa Pardy accompanied the officers. The event, co-hosted by ACWAP and…

Uwesi, an Australia Awards graduate empowers women

When Jean Uwesi, an Australia Awards graduate with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide, returned home to Honiara’s Green Valley community, she was determined to empower local women with new skills and economic opportunities. With funding from the Australia Awards Solomon Islands’ Alumni Support Grant initiative, Jean organised training in innovative fabric…

Australia’s small grant empowers Malaita youths

THE Australian Government through its Small Grants Program is supporting to empower youth associations in Malaita Province, boosting economic opportunities and rural livelihoods. This year, several youth associations have received funding support to implement small-scale projects aimed at driving economic empowerment in their communities.  So far, five youth associations are actively implementing projects with assistance…

Munda market vendors on look&learn trip to Fiji

Suva, Fiji – The UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Suva was recently transformed into a vibrant showcase of Pacific craftsmanship as it welcomed 19 market vendors from the Munda Market Vendors Association (MVA), Solomon Islands. The group is in Fiji for a one-week knowledge exchange visit — a self-organised and self-funded initiative by the…

Youth advocates for Ocean peace

Communities in the region have been urged to work together to foster peace, increase awareness and make resources available to build resilience against climate change. This was highlighted by Ms. Josie-Ann Ashley from the Solomon Islands National Youth Congress at the side event of the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Aquatic Center in Honiara.…

PIF leaders’ spouses visit Kokonut Products Ltd

Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Leaders’ spouses on Wednesday visited the Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands located at Lunga, East Honiara. During the short visit, they learnt how the coconuts are processed into all the KOSI products.  Also the spouses get to try out KOSI products and buy themselves some products as souvenirs to take back to their countries. …

Spouses of PIF leaders visit Art Gallery

Spouses of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders took time on Monday to visit the National Art Gallery in Honiara as part of the official program for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting engaging with local artisans and traditional crafts in a celebration of Solomon Islands cultural heritage. Hosted by Madam Jocelyn Manele, spouse of…