MOU to Reinstate SICA Women’s Desk
Women representatives from four Christian denominations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together towards reinstating the Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) Women’s Desk, approximately 12 years after it was formally abolished.
The signing was a major outcome of the inaugural Inter-denominational Christian Women’s Leadership Forum on Gender Equality Theology, held on 25 May 2026 in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The forum brought together representatives from the South Seas Evangelical Church [SSEC], Anglican Church of Melanesia, Roman Catholic Church and United Church.
Lady Mary Vunagi, wife of the late former governor-general and Anglican archbishop Sir David Vunagi, attended the forum as an adviser.
During the forum, participants shared information about the programmes their respective churches provide for women, families, children and young people.
These include positiveparenting and child-protection programmes, youth groups, prayer and support groups, counselling services, community outreach and visitation programmes, and activities promoting spiritual growth and biblical ways of living.
Some churches also conduct awareness programmes and family-week activities covering a range of family and gender-related topics.
Although the denominations offer different programmes, participants agreed that their work is based on the common Christian belief that every person is created in the image of God and should be treated with love, dignity and respect.
They said biblical teachings about partnership, mutual respect and following the example of Jesus Christ should form the foundation of efforts to promote gender equality and healthy relationships among women and men.
Participants also emphasised the importance of counselling, prayer and a sound understanding of the Word of God in building strong families and communities.
The forum recognised that community gatherings provide an important platform for people to discuss gender issues and develop grassroots responses.
Participants said these gatherings should bring women and men together while also providing separate spaces in which each group can speak openly and comfortably about sensitive issues.
They noted that cultural barriers often prevent women from discussing certain matters when men are present, particularly in rural communities.
The forum agreed that dedicated women’s and men’s discussion groups could help participants speak honestly about their experiences before coming together to identify shared solutions.
The educational disadvantages experienced by many women were also discussed.
Participants said women who have had limited access to education may not fully understand their rights or know how to seek assistance, respond to difficulties or become empowered to improve their circumstances.
They said churches have an important role in educating and empowering women while helping both women and men understand their responsibilities within families, churches and communities.
Participants also agreed that women and men have different responsibilities assigned by God, but these differences should never be used to downplay the dignity, contribution or value of women.
A sound understanding of the Word of God was identified as essential to building respectful partnerships between women and men.
Another major concern raised during the forum was the well-being of children and young people.
Participants described young people as the country’s future leaders and one of the largest groups within the population.
They called for churches to place greater emphasis on youth education, positive parenting and programmes supporting children from early childhood through their teenage years.
Participants said childhood and adolescence are critical periods during which people develop their values, behaviour and personalities.
Positive parenting, strong Christian teaching and cooperation between families, churches and communities were identified as essential to addressing child abuse, family breakdown and the growing number of young people who feel lost or disconnected.
The forum heard that raising a family is increasingly challenging and that issues affecting children and young people go beyond denominational boundaries.
Participants said Christian churches must work together to educate young people, reconnect vulnerable or disengaged youth with their communities and prepare the next generation for leadership.
The women agreed that reinstating the SICA Women’s Desk would provide a central platform for coordinating this work, strengthening cooperation between denominations and ensuring that women’s concerns are represented within SICA.
The SICA Women’s Desk was formally abolished approximately 12 years ago, following the departure of the last person who held the position.
Participants said the reinstatement of the position would restore an important platform for women from different churches to work together on issues affecting women, children, young people and families.
Following discussions at the forum, participants met with Lionel Dau, the General Secretary of SICA, who expressed support for the proposal.
A memorandum of understanding was subsequently developed and signed on 21 July 2026.
The MOU was signed by Lady Mary Vunagi, forum adviser; Florence Naesol, National Women’s Coordinator, South Seas Evangelical Church; Matilda Maneniaru, Chair Lady Catholic Women’s Council & Sarah Belende Manedetea, Women’s desk, Catholic Archdioceses of Honiara; Clara Ramofafia, Women’s Representative, United Church; and Sandra Rollands, President of the Mother's Union, Anglican Church of Melanesia.
The signing was formally witnessed by Julia Nho, the forum facilitator and host, who is a PhD researcher at the University of Notre Dame Australia.
The signing marked an important step towards reinstating the SICA Women’s Desk and strengthening cooperation among Christian women across Solomon Islands.
The renewed Women’s Desk is expected to help churches coordinate programmes for women, children, families and young people while promoting Christian responses to gender and social issues.
Further discussions and upcoming forums will focus on the next steps for establishing and filling the Women’s Desk position, including how it will operate and be
supported moving forward.
Moving forward, the intention is for local church women leaders, together with SICA, to take forward the process through agreed local structures.
The inaugural forum was initially designed and hosted by Julia Nho, PhD Researcher at University of Notre Dame, in partnership with Ms Sandra Rollands, President of the Anglican Church Mothers’ Union.
This partnership reflected the Anglican Church of Melanesia’s current role as chair of SICA for 2026 and 2027.
//end//
Source: Inter-denominational Christian Women’s Leadership Forum on Gender Equality Theology
Photo caption: Participants of the inaugural Inter-denominational Christian Women’s Leadership Forum on Gender Equality Theology. From left to right: Lady Mary Vunagi, forum adviser; Florence Naesol, South Seas Evangelical Church; Sarah Belende Manedetea and Matildas Maneniaru, Roman Catholic Church; in the centre, Julia Nho, forum facilitator and host; Clara Ramofafia, United Church; and Sandra Rollands, Anglican Church.
BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
North Malaita’s Besi Youth Association has sent two of its members to China for a look-and-learn seminar on agricultural practices.
The two Besi Youth members left for China yesterday with the aim to gain more knowledge and skills to help their association.
The trip was made possible through a bilateral partnership between the Chinese Embassy, the Besi Youth Association and ongoing support from the Malaita Youth Council.
Vice Chairman of the Besi Youth Association, Kelly Gilead, said the trip will be a great opportunity for their members and the association to learn new knowledge and skills for their operations.
He said the trip will provide firsthand information from experienced and skillful people with aim to strengthen agricultural and fisheries aquaculture in Pacific countries.
“Like the first seminar that we attended, this one is on agriculture and fisheries aquaculture. This seminar is similar to our association’s focus on agriculture.
“This is a great opportunity for us after establishing a partnership with the Chinese Embassy,” he said.
He said they will continue to send their association members to China in the future.
“This is the second group, and our third group will soon be going to China to learn more about Chinese agricultural practices,” he said.
The Besi Youth Association (BYA) was established in 2025 in Besi Village, located in the To’abaita area of North Malaita.
The youth-led group was formed to empower young people in rural areas through leadership development, education, and sustainable agriculture, such as local taro production.
Photo credit: Phillip Subu
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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging stronger action to protect young people in Solomon Islands from tobacco products and industry marketing tactics designed to attract and addict them early, said a WHO press release issued to mark this year’s World No Tobacco Day.
The press release said WHO Solomon Islands Officer-in-Charge Dr Sakthivel Selvaraj calls for stronger measures to reduce the appeal of tobacco and nicotine products among young people.
He highlighted tighter controls on flavoured tobacco products, advertising, promotion and product designs that make smoking more attractive to youths.
He also calls for stronger tobacco control laws, tougher enforcement, increased community awareness and greater support for people trying to quit smoking.
“Together, let’s unmask the appeal, expose industry’s tactics, and protect the health and future of our children and communities. Remember, the appeal is manufactured, but the harm is real,” Dr Selvaraj said.
WHO Solomon Islands Technical Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr Tsogzolmaa Bayandorj, also urges young people to not be misled by tobacco marketing.
She said products promoted as “tobacco-free” or “smooth” should not be regarded as safe, warning that nicotine is addictive in any form.
Dr Bayandorj encourages smokers who want to quit to seek help from health clinics and health centres, where proven cessation methods such as nicotine patches, nicotine gum and counselling are available.
“Don’t let tobacco marketing confuse you. ‘Tobacco-free’ doesn’t mean safe, ‘smooth’ doesn’t mean weak. Nicotine is addictive in any form, and if you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you’re trying to quit, speak to your health clinic and health centres about safe and proven options,” she said.
The statement also quoted youth representative Haddasah Dowo, who described the fight against tobacco as a fight for freedom whilst urging young people to reject addiction.
“We are the generation that can unmask the appeal and expose the truth. Let us choose health over addiction. Let us choose awareness over deception. Let us choose life over tobacco,” Ms Dowo said.
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By Georgina Maka’a Despite progress in recent years, women in Solomon Islands continue to face significant barriers in reaching senior...
The post Four Barriers Holding Women Back From Leadership, Says PS Pitaqae appeared first on In-depth Solomons .
BY NED GAGAHE
The Women in Executive Leadership Solomon Islands (WELSI) has renewed its call for greater representation of women in senior executive and decision-making positions, saying stronger partnerships and institutional support are needed to break barriers to leadership.
The call was made during WELSI’s Women Connect Breakfast and Panel Discussion Networking Event at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara on Thursday, July 9.
The event brought together women leaders, government officials, private sector representatives, development partners and educational institutions to discuss challenges facing women in leadership and to identify practical pathways to increase women’s participation in executive roles.
Panel discussions focused on the progress and gaps in women’s representation, barriers to advancement into higher decision-making positions, leadership development and executive capacity building, mentorship and sponsorship, institutional support, and opportunities to strengthen women’s leadership pathways.
WELSI President Pamela Naesol Alamu in a statement said the discussions provided participants with a clearer understanding of the opportunities and strategies needed to support women aspiring to leadership positions.
“The dialogue created stronger partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders and renewed engagement and strengthened networks among WELSI members and women leaders across sectors,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Aaron Pitaqae said promoting women into higher decision-making roles is not only a matter of fairness but also a strategic necessity for national development.
“While challenges remain, the opportunities for enriched leadership and societal progress are immense. By addressing structural barriers, challenging biases, and fostering supportive environments, we can unlock the full potential of women leaders and drive meaningful change across all sectors.
“As members of our society, women deserve respect and recognition. This is not just about recognising women because they are part of us; it is about making meaningful change because it will benefit everyone. Government and organisations must now accept that women’s participation can have a positive impact,” Mr Pitaqae said.
Participants highlighted several barriers that continue to limit women’s progression into leadership positions.
These include deeply rooted patriarchal attitudes and traditional gender roles that view leadership as a male responsibility, limited access to professional networks and mentoring opportunities, gender bias in recruitment and promotion processes, and the challenge of balancing leadership responsibilities with family and community obligations.
Despite these challenges, the forum acknowledged that positive progress has been made through national policies and programmes that aim to support women to advance into leadership roles.
WELSI said it will continue to facilitate dialogue and collaboration with key stakeholders to promote inclusive leadership and create more opportunities for women to progress into senior executive and decision-making positions across the country.
Photo credit: WELSI
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WELSI hosts leadership forum to strengthen women’s pathways into senior executive and decision-making roles in Solomon Islands. Sunday 12 July, Honiara – The Women in Executive Leadership Solomon Islands (WELSI) remains committed to increase dialogue on challenges affecting women’s progression into senior executive roles. As part of these efforts, WELSI successfully hosted a Women Connect [...]
The post WELSI hosts successful dialogue onwomen’s progression appeared first on Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) .
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