Empowering Solomon Islands Women Beyond Isolation

Women across the Solomon Islands are the backbone of their families and communities. They are entrepreneurs, caregivers, household managers, and vital contributors to local development.

Yet, too often, those in the most remote provinces are underserved, overlooked by development initiatives that favour convenience over equity.

A local leader Moses Jnr Aunama launched a financial literacy program to empower women with essential skills in budgeting, saving, and accessing financial services targeting women in Bellona province.

Despite the clear value of the initiative, Moses faced repeated rejections from organisations that could have supported the program.

This struggle is not just about one project—it reveals a broader issue: development opportunities in the Solomon Islands remain concentrated in urban centres like Honiara, leaving remote communities at a disadvantage.

Geographic isolation should not determine whether women have access to education, skills training, and economic empowerment.

Hon. John Dean Kuku captures this challenge perfectly at the recent Panatina Research Seminar.

He said, “There are two Solomon Islands today. There is one in Honiara, and the others out in the provinces. Too many women remain excluded from decision-making, and too many rural communities are still waiting for the process of development to reach them. True inclusivity means changing this.”

His words underline the urgency of ensuring that women in places like Bellona and other provinces are not left behind.

At the Seminar as well, Dr. Transform Aqorau, Vice-Chancellor of Solomon Islands National University highlighted education and local capacity-building are important whether in formal and informal education can unlock the potential of communities.

“Entrepreneurs and local leaders can flourish only if the enabling environment—policy, infrastructure, and support—is in place,” he says. Without access to such resources, even well-designed initiatives struggle to succeed.

Moses’ challenge is therefore representative of a larger need: we must support local champions who understand their communities and are willing to do the hard work of empowerment.

By investing in women across the provinces, we are not merely funding a project; we are strengthening the economic and social fabric of a remote province.

These women, once equipped with knowledge and skills, can create ripple effects—improving household stability, mentoring others, and fostering sustainable growth locally.

Despite the challenges, Moses plans to gather volunteers and launch a local fundraising campaign to support financial literacy training for 80 women in Bellona to kick-start this training.

Hon. Shira Itaku for Ward 10 already contributing the first SBD$1,500. Initiatives like this demonstrate that when communities rally behind their women, meaningful change is possible.

Supporting women in remote areas is not charity—it is strategic development.

Moses’ experience should serve as a wake-up call: equitable access to training and capacity-building must reach every corner of the Solomon Islands.

Only then can we ensure that women across the provinces, can shape the future of their communities and the nation.