SAME OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN: MRS SIGIMANU

Peramanet Secretary Ethel Sigimanu. Photo credit: pacwip.

Permanent Secretary for Women Youth Children and Family Affairs, Ethel Sigimanu has urged Government Gender Focal Points to ensure women and men have equal access to the same opportunities, and can enjoy life equally as Solomon Islands citizens.

The Gender Focal Point officers are currently attending a gender analysis workshop, tailored to the Solomon Islands context.

Speaking to officially open the workshop on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary said there is a need for technical expertise and awareness about gender issues, thus the need to train the Gender Focal Points in gender-related analysis, budgeting and planning.

Mrs Sigimanu said it is important to analyze the strategic needs of women and men, and why there are gender barriers at all levels and aspects of life in the Solomon Islands context.

The Permanent Secretary also said the workshop will look at understanding why there is a great need to address these barriers, and what can be done to help Gender Focal Points perform their roles better towards achieving gender equality in the Public Service.

The workshop ends Friday.