Today the 8th of March, the world celebrates the International Women’s Day which marks a time of the year in which the world pauses to remember and pray for mothers and young women all over the world. Women of many conditions, the sick, those with disability, the old, the young, the children, women that are victims of violence, working class women, women in high positions and also women in slums and settlements. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Press for Progress”. More than ever, there’s strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. There’s a strong call to Press for progress motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.
Our female students and staff have made this day special and colorful. They organize a program in the afternoon to highlight the day with an inspirational talk given by Mrs. Ruth Maetala of the SICCI-IFC Gender Program Coordinator; with her were Ms. Maria Adelaide and Ms Tilaila Burafi, Faith and Hope Program Coordinator, World Vision Solomon Islands. Their presence in the school and sharing their experiences inspired a lot both our male and female students.
Our guests, and very own and proud women, and role models Ms Ruth and Ms Tilaila, respectively talked to the whole student body. Ms. Ruth challenged the girls by asking them to look into the future, who are they going to be in five years. Based on the theme, she asked them: “what kind of progress are you ready to make?” With a voice of conviction she told the women of the school, “Ladies, don’t give up on the fight. Remember you are ambassadors of your own family, your village and province so press for progress.” In addition, Ms Tilaila, challenging girls too and all the male students, she said: “now that they are being prepared for skills, you should have in mind that discrimination is not over, violence may continues because the presence of evil in our society, people will look down on you, please don’t and never freeze, never lose courage, don’t be intimidated. So please all together, let press for progress.”
The Students’ representative, Moffet, gave a wonderful speech on the occasion which left many of them almost in tears of joy. "If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman," he comment. He praised them and acknowledged their role in the family, in our school and in our country being of a capitol note. “You are beautiful, you are wonderful, your all, and we owe respect a lot” he ended his speech.
The celebration ended with fun games and dances performed by the ladies of the school. The male students offered flowers and a cake to their fellow female students as a sign of appreciation and recognition of the day. Speaking to the fellow students, all were please and grateful to have this day organized by the school management. It is very often overlooked in the school programs, now all appreciate that it is highlighted for this year.
Betty Pauromae,
Hospitality and Tourism Student