THE Honiara City Council (HCC) recognises and supports empowerment of women according to deputy mayor Eddie Ngava.

Speaking at the International Women’s Day celebration yesterday, Mr Ngava said HCC is also taking initiatives in encouraging women, on various fronts.

“The city council now has a woman appointed councillor, though we would like to see more elected, there are other positions that we encourage women to take up,” he said.

“We provide equal opportunity for men and women.

“We have partnered with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum based in Fiji, and the Maribyrnong City Council of Melbourne, Australia in gender and development programmes such as ending violence against women and the organisation of women in local governments association.”

Mr Ngava said they have already drafted the Honiara City Council gender policy.

He added that there would be more actions to come as CLGF and Maribyrnong city council have pledged to assist HCC in more similar programmes of women empowerment.

He encouraged men to end the “traditional” way of treating women and girls in Solomon Islands, and embrace the belief that empowering women and girls is a way forward to a better and inclusive future.

Article By TRIXIE CARTER

The Solomon Star Newspaper (11/03/2015)