By Loretta B Manele

Learning from challenges can drive us women to move from one point to one that works for us.

Kristina Sogavare, vice president of the National Council of Women (NCW) expressed the sentiment on International Women’s Day at the National Museum Auditorium last week.

She said women must acknowledge challenges they face in the past because these challenges are the stepping stones that get us to where we are today.

“I am here because I’ve learnt from those challenges.”

She stressed that our challenges point us to move on to a different avenue because the first one didn’t work out.

Sogavare went on to talk about the challenges that are still present today for women.

She said challenges like gender bias, unequal opportunities and underrepresentation are still here.

Sogavare stated that these are significant obstacles that women face and the reason why women strive every day for a better Solomon Islands for their children.

She emphasised that we must address this gap if not we will still be talking about in 2026.

Sogavare also spoke about the day’s theme which was “Leadership and Inclusion”.

She said the leadership and inclusion are very important pillars of the community.

On that note, Sogavare stated that women regardless of cultural background or denomination, all have the aspiration to change and potential to lead.

“Today, we come to celebrate the achievements of women leaders who have broken the glass ceilings and shattered stereotypes. You have come a long way with your stories of resilience.

That is why a young woman leader like me can be able to stand today and address you because you have provided that avenue for me.

Thank you for that respect you are giving to young leaders like me and for paving that way and for including women leaders like me to stand and address you on this momentous occasion.”

Sogavare expressed that all women in Solomon Islands are beacons of hope for each other and for the future generation.

She also encouraged women to make changes and that doesn’t mean having to go to parliament.

“You can make a change in your homes; you don’t need to go to parliament. That change can made in your homes, work spaces, church and communities.

That space is a God given space for you.”

Sogavare also highlighted that inclusive leadership is not just a role but a necessity.

She emphasized that when women are included in the decision-making process, they are bringing together a diverse perspective and will be able to include women in every single environment regardless of what community, denomination or organization they come from.

Sogavare said we should think and renew commitment so that we can create a more inclusive and equitable community.

For feedback, contact:[email protected]