RAMSI celebrated with Solomon Islands women to mark their international day
Speaking at a special women’s breakfast hosted by RAMSI and other local sponsors to mark International Women’s Day, Mr George said he wanted to congratulate the many women in Solomon Islands who were already playing a major role shaping this nation’s future.
“I’d like to congratulate all of you here today who both in your personal and professional lives make such an enormous contribution to this nation,” Mr George told the more than 150 women from all walks of life who attended the breakfast.
Every one can be a leader the keynote speaker, Commander Charmaine Quade said in her address.
One of Australia’s most senior ranking police women, Ms Quade, who was recently appointed the national commander of the Australian Federal Police Protection Service, outlined the qualities of a good leader.
“Leadership is not about self-confidence, it is about having confidence in those you work with, and about how the leader builds that confidence.”
“We all know our personal limitations and how far to push ourselves. Leaders need to know that about themselves and the people they lead.”
Ms Quade said that success as a leader comes from something even rarer: “bringing in people who think differently to you and allowing them to challenge you.”
“We should all feel pride that in the skilled hands of an inspirational, emotionally intelligent leader, who happens to be a woman, and is supported by a team of skilled people, we can in fact achieve changes.”
One of the areas where this is most pressing is in the area of domestic violence Ms Quade said.
A new video against domestic violence co-produced by the Solomon Islands Police Force and RAMSI’s Participating Police Force was also screened for the first time at the breakfast.
Officially launching the video, the Secretary to Cabinet Ruth Liloqula said it was important for the community to work together to eradicate domestic violence.
“We need to give back women the rights they enjoyed at birth to live free of fear and without violence," Ms Liloqula said.
The breakfast was attended by women from Solomon Island NGO’s, churches, diplomatic missions, media & business sectors and senior women in government and the public service including the Governor General’s wife, Lady Alice Waena and the Prime Minister’s wife, Doris Sikua.
They were hosted by senior women from RAMSI participating countries including from the military, police and civilian arms of RAMSI.
It was co-sponsored by RAMSI with the Australian High Commission, New Zealand High Commission, GPPOL, Solomon Telekom, National Provident Fund and the Mendana Kitano Hotel.
Source: RAMSI
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