Women and employment in Solomon Islands

Abstract

Women make a substantial contribution to the growth and development of the Solomon Islands economy. Women have most of the responsibility for subsistence agricultural production—on which the welfare of most Solomon Islanders depends—but the importance of their contribution is often ignored by development planners and policymakers. Women also make a substantial contribution to both the household and national economy through their participation in formal and informal sector employment, including self-employment. In this Pacific Policy Paper, Marion Ward examines the status of women in the Solomon Islands and outlines the measures currently underway to address women's subordination. In particular Marion looks at women and education, employment, unemployment, self-employment and work in subsistence agriculture. She argues for change at all levels of government to address the status of women and provides specific recommendations on how to achieve full participation of women in the development process.