Women leaders in Solomon Islands will have a chance to network and learn new skills after the launch of a new association aimed at promoting equal opportunities for women.
Women in Solomon Islands Malaita Province harvest Taro. Photo: RNZI Courtesy of SPC
It is hoped the Solomon Islands Professional Women's Network will also drive economic growth and reduce poverty.
Amy Luinstra of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has helped launch the initiative, said the network will help women build their skills and develop tools for recruiting, retaining and promoting women employees.
"There's very few role models in public or private sector, most of the leaders in the Solomon Islands are men so it feels quite lonely," she said.
"Most of the women that are making it into senior levels are not always supportive of the other women. More than that it's the opportunities and some of the skills that are really needed for being a leader like most of them have ever grown up with."