NOCSI Equity Commission Celebrates International Women's Day

Fay Indu Ghemu Chairlady of the NOCSI Women in Sport Commission have extended invitation to attend as Guest Speakers were the Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Hon Lanelle Tanaganda, PrimeMinister’s wife Madam Emmy Sogavare and newly crowned Miss Solomon Islands Tiare Haro.  Inviting the women leaders was so that they can share and motivate with female athletes and coaches in terms of support that is vital in the lead up to the Games.

Miss Solomon Islands, Tiare Haro in encouragement to the female athletes and coaches reminded them that they are all winners in their own special ways. Miss Solomon Islands further reminds the athletes that they know they are a true Solomon Islander when a flag is raised because of the sacrifices and high achievements they have made.

Madam Emmy Sogavare reminded athletes during the celebration that ‘women are the very pillars of our society.

Amidst all negativity, we have the capacity to be successful in everything, this international women’s day is the time to appreciate the value of a woman in our society, community and country, said madam Sogavare.

Women are often overlooked, and regarded as unimportant during the past, but things has changed. It is good to see women stepping into the spotlight and taking the lead. Female athletes you are no exception, representing a country in any event or occupation is a huge privilege. Everyone will look up to you, I look up to you.

Hon Lanelle Tanaganda in motivation reminds female athletes to never give up.  We are celebrating International Women’s Day and I believe in all of you, in the potential that you have, and that potential is the reason empowering you to continue being engaged in the preparation. Not only focusing on the PacificGames, I know you are building and developing yourself, as your influence will continue on to other females as well, said Tanaganda.

Show us that you capable in whatever area of sports you are engaged in. For that I want to applaud you all with deep respect for the resilience to keep going.

A lot of times we do not look at the good side of things, we only want to look at the bad side, and for that I advise for you to ‘keep going’.

Ms Ghemu highlighted that we are planning to reach out to communities, schools and workplaces just to raise awareness on female athletes and to get people to support our female athletes to the point where it is visible.  She also express that a lot of female athletes face challenges just because they choose to play sports.

The turnout today Wednesday was really good unfortunately other athletes did not turn up, for some they are students so they are still in school in which the timing is not suitable for them, but our guest speakers have come and they have talked with the athletes, sharing time conversations and mingling with them

Overcoming stigmatism in their communities that women are expected to return straight back home after work, prepare the house kids and all those but they overcome these challenges to come and play sports.And then they excel in their sporting codes.

So we really want to get behind them, and really support them, so that they can excel and achieve what we want for them to achieve.

Getting to know them more in a one on one sort of communication is what we aim, as most times it is just women leaders standing at the front and talking to people at the back. But today Wednesday it was about coming around and mixing with the female athletes, talking with them and getting to know them personally, which is really good.

Women inSport Commission is part of the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands(NOCSI).

Makes you emotional and lifts the spirit. It is time for you to show to the rest of the Pacific nations why we are so proud to be a Solomon Islander, and in that I want you to continue pursue with strength and courage.

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