Seminar Series: Abstract

Women Leaders in Solomon Islands Public Service: Emerging Trends and Perspectives from the Field
Asenati Liki

Much of the current literature on women in the Solomon Islands points to their alarmingly low representation in public leadership. However, signs of improvement are beginning to emerge. Recently, in the Public Service, women have been appointed as heads of government ministries and there are now more women entering managerial and mid-level positions than was the case in the last ten or fifteen years. A number of factors are behind this tendency: a slight increase in women achieving higher educational qualifications, campaigns by government and women’s organisations for the enhancement of women’s status in the country and, a general acceptance at least within the Public Service of the significance of women working in partnership with men. This seminar discusses these findings from a recent field study in Honiara and speculates on future prospects for women and leadership in the Solomon Islands.