Progress in Promoting Gender Equality in the Workplace in Solomon Islands

A new report shows 15 of the largest businesses in Solomon Islands are now pioneering measures to promote gender diverse workplaces, including new ways to support employees affected by violence.

The report looks at the first year of the Waka Mere Commitment to Action, a two-year initiative promoting gender equality in the private sector in Solomon Islands. It’s led by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), with support from the Australian and New Zealand governments.

Through Waka Mere, which means She Works in pidgin, the 15 companies are working towards meeting at least one of three commitments: promote more women into leadership positions, build respectful and supportive workplaces, and increase opportunities for women in jobs traditionally held by men.

The report shows eight companies have now set measurable targets for increasing the share of women in leadership positions and are investing in women through management and leadership courses. Nine out of 12 women who attended the courses were later promoted or given broader responsibilities.

Eleven Waka Mere companies trained teams on how to respond to staff affected by violence and started implementing a policy for addressing domestic violence, as part of measures to build respectful and supportive workplaces. At the same time, more employers started to train women to take on traditionally male-dominated roles such as driving company vehicles.

Read full report: Making Progress: Solomon Island businesses advance gender equality

Original source: IFC 
Published on 10 October 2018