A TOTAL of 33 women who own or lead various businesses in the country have joined the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs Solomon Islands (AWESI), a United States-funded initiative that gives enterprising women the knowledge, networks and access they need to launch and scale successful businesses.
AWESI, which is the first of its kind in Solomon Islands, was virtually launched from Port Moresby by the US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, Ann Marie Yastishock on Wednesday.
The 33 Solomon Islands women business entrepreneurs and leaders, who make up the country’s first AWESI Cohort, joined the Solomon Islands US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Anthony Calegari and Public Affairs Officer Kristine Marsh for the launching at the ‘Be Natural Café’ in Central Honiara.
The AWESI training program is implemented by the ‘Mere Care’ Association, which is the local coordinating team in Solomon Islands.
Ambassador Yastishock congratulated the cohorts of PNG’s 6th academy and Solomon Islands first AWE program cohorts.
She said, “the involvement of women in PNG and Solomon Islands entrepreneurial landscape is a strategic imperative for a robust, innovative and inclusive economy.
“As we launch the 6th academy of women entrepreneurs in PNG and the first in the Solomon Islands, I encourage you to take advantage of the trainings, the workshops and the mentoring sessions within the AWE program.
“Participate actively and build relationships with your cohort members. Your leadership and mentorship wants by your future entrepreneurs who will follow in your footsteps.”
Speaking on behalf of the AWESI 2024 Cohort, the Mere Care Managing Director Dr Donna Wate expressed gratitude to the US Department of States Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) for its unwavering support and generous contribution to this initiative in Solomon Islands.
Dr Wate also made special mention of the Public Engagement Assistant at the US Embassy in Port Moresby, Matilda Kapipi and her team for their continuous support from the early days of the organization of this first Solomon Islands cohort.
“This program would not be possible without your vision and commitment to empowering women.
“Your investment is more than just financial: it is an investment in the dreams, aspiration and future of local women entrepreneurs, whose work will ripple through our communities for the years to come.”
Dr Wate said the 33 women have already been through the first two weeks of in-person sessions of the training program but they have already witnessed their significant short-term impacts – women openly sharing their challenges, achievements and business journey stories openly amongst their strong community of sisterhood in business.
She said the long-term impact of this training program will be well-planned support for women who own and lead their dream businesses to be stronger entrepreneurs who are financially and technologically smart.
“AWE is harnessing the power of public, private sponsors, local partnerships and US exchange alumni networks to help our women and their businesses grow driving prosperity in the community,” she added.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
