Pacific Scoop:
By a special correspondent in Honiara

A new book to celebrate the achievements of Solomon Islands women is being published next month and is expected to be launched on International Women’s Day.

Entitled Being the First, the book is the first published about Solomon Islands women by Solomon Islands women.

It focuses on the stories of 14 women who defied the odds and broke new ground within the government’s “hierarchical formal structure”.

According to one of the co-editors, Alice Aruhe’eta Pollard, the book “tells stories of the best of times for these women, but also the worst of times – when they have found themselves alone in an environment that was challenging and dominated by men”.

She says young women today can “treasure their example” as tools for leadership.

“Their journey was long and difficult, but worthwhile, especially when shared,” she says.

The other co-editor, Professor Marilyn Waring, of AUT University’s Institute of Public Policy, says the women are “deliriously happy” about the forthcoming publication and are already planning a sequel.

Funded by the Regional Assistance Mission of Solomon Islands (RAMSI), the book is being published by AUT’s Pacific Media Centre on behalf of RAMSI and IPP.

The book collects the life stories of women who broke through the public service barriers – as permanent secretaries, officers of Parliament, the only woman ever elected to Parliament, and a former Public Service Commissioner.

The stories speak of their childhoods, their education – often while separated for years from their families – and their first paid employment.

They tell of wrestling with the challenges they faced to be promoted, who supported them on their breakthrough journeys, and when they met the most resistance.

Finally, they offer some advice to the younger women who will follow them.

Being the First: Storis Blong Oloketa Mere Lo Solomon Aelan is due for publication in Honiara on March 8 and Auckland on March 17. ISBN 978-1-877314-76-6

The book will be available through South Pacific Books/Wheelers Books. | More information.