Vois Blong Mere Solomon

28/09/2025

26/09/2025

🍀Women in Ngongoti and Nearby Villages Raise Health and Water Concerns During Consultation.☘️

Yesterday, Vois Blong Mere and Guadalcanal Council of Women conducted a women’s consultation in Ngongoti Village, Bahomea Region, one of the communities in the Tina Hydro catchment area. Women from Ngongoti and nearby villages including Marava, Horohotu, and Rate came together to share their experiences, challenges, and priorities for their communities.

During the dialogue, women highlighted the urgent need for a local clinic, as the nearest health facility is a long walking distance away, making access to essential health services difficult. They also emphasized that clean and safe water remains one of their major needs. Community members further raised environmental concerns, noting that swimming in the nearby river now leaves an oily residue on the skin.

Vois Blong Mere acknowledges the important voices of the women of Ngongoti and the surrounding villages, and will continue to amplify their concerns to ensure women’s perspectives are included in decision-making processes that affect health, water, and the environment in the Tina Hydro catchment.

28/08/2025

Hands that Plant, Holds the Power Campaign Update 🌱

Vois Blong Mere Solomon is excited to share that VBMS and Guadalcanal Council of Women have completed a survey with our hardworking local farmers.

At the same time, the Young Women in Parliamentary Group (YWPG) has also carried out a survey with the market resellers.

Together, these two surveys capture both sides of the story – the voices of those who plant and bring produce to market, and the perspectives of those who resell and help bring food to our communities.

The findings will be compiled into a joint report that will be shared with authorities and stakeholders to help identify inclusive and fair solutions for all.

This is an important step towards ensuring that the hands that plant are valued, respected, and empowered.

Stay tuned – the report will be out soon! 📑

18/08/2025

👥Join the Movement - Become a Member of Vois Blong Mere Solomon!
Are you passionate about women's empowerment, community storytelling, and creating positive change in Solomon Islands? 🌺
Now's your chance to be part of a powerful network of women who lead, uplift and inspire.
✨Register today to become a member of Vois Blong Mere Solomon! Whether you're in media, advocacy, community work or simply want to raise your voice - your contribution matters!
👉How to Register: Collect and fill out our Membership Registration Form by visiting VBMS Office at YWCA Building, Townground, Honiara or email: [email protected]
🌟Membership is open to all who believe in amplifying women's voices and standing for equality across our islands.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we are the voice. 💜

07/08/2025

📣 Supporting Change for Our Girls! 💪👧

Vois Blong Mere Solomon welcomes and fully supports the government’s proposed amendment to the Marriage Act 1945, which seeks to raise the legal marriage age from 15 to 18 years. 🙌

This is a long-overdue step to protect our girls, uphold their rights, and align our laws with international child protection standards. As highlighted by the Endim Vaelens Agenstim Pikinini report, 1 in 5 girls in Solomon Islands are married before the age of 18 — a figure that jumps to 1 in 4 in rural areas. These are not just statistics. These are our daughters, sisters, and future leaders. 👩‍🏫👩‍⚕️👩‍🔧

We stand with leaders who are pushing this change, especially as it aligns with the legal voting age and other national laws. Let's ensure our girls grow up free from child marriage, with full access to education, health, and opportunity.

💬 Our children deserve better. Their future starts with the right to just be children.

29/07/2025

UPDATE – BIG NEWS! ✨🎥
The Hands That Plant, Holds The Power campaign is making moves!

After powerful voices were raised by our local farmers, we're excited to share that a multi-stakeholder Task Force has now been formed to address the issues raised at the Central Market.

This update highlights the first step in our journey to push for fair treatment, safer spaces, and recognition of women farmers’ rights.

🛠️ The Task Force includes:
✅ Vois Blong Mere Solomon
✅ Ministry of Home Affairs
✅ Ministry of Commerce
✅ Prime Minister’s Office
✅ RSIPF
✅ Honiara City Council

An Action Plan is now in motion to bring solutions that protect and empower our farmers – especially the women whose hands feed our homes and nation.

Together, we are creating change. 💪🏽🌽🍠

23/07/2025

🌱 Hands that Plant, Holds the Power – Campaign Update 🌱

Exciting News!
A Task Force has been formed to address the pressing concerns and challenges faced by local farmers at the Central Market.

The task force comprises key stakeholders including:
👉 Vois Blong Mere Solomon
👉 Ministry of Home Affairs
👉 Ministry of Commerce
👉 Prime Minister’s Office
👉 RSIPF
👉 Honiara City Council (HCC)

This collaborative team has developed a Terms of Reference and Action Plan and is actively working to resolve the issues raised by our hardworking farmers.

20/07/2025

𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 No. 2

🌱𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧
🔄 Unfair Treatment by HCC Market Officers.
HCC market officers are helping the resellers get tables while ignoring or mistreating other vendors.

Rules are not applied equally – resellers break rules and still get support, while genuine farmers get penalized.

🚫 No Equal Access to Market Space
Women farmers who travel long distances are told to wait or go home, while market officers' reserves space for their own people.

Overnight stayers and resellers take up tables illegally but are protected by the market officers.

🧑‍🌾 Real Farmers Are Being Sidelined
Local produce growers — especially women — are forced to sit on the ground or left standing in the sun while resellers get tables.

When farmers complain, they are dismissed or ignored because they don’t know anyone in authority.

🚽 Toilet Locking & Humiliation
The market toilets are often locked, especially early in the morning or late in the day.

Women vendors, especially those outside, are forced to pay $5 to use the seaside area to relieve themselves.

If they can’t pay, they are shouted at and told not to use the seaside — no dignity, no compassion.

Despite paying market fees, these women are denied basic sanitation access, while others use their privilege to get by.

😡 Trust Is Breaking Down
Farmers are losing faith in HCC management — they feel disrespected and unwanted in a space meant for them.

The weak system is damaging transparency, fairness, and safety at the market.

Farmers are losing trust in the market system because rules apply only to some, not all.

Key Asks of the Campaign 🔈
👩‍🌾 1) Give Farmers a Dedicated Space at Central Market
👩‍🌾 2) Allow Famers to put their products on the table before paying - MUST pay at a reasonable price
👩‍🌾 3) Implement strong market rules to protect famers.

18/07/2025

🌟 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 – 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞.

🌺𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐈𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢 - 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 ✨

1. 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨?

🍰Cravings began as a home-based cake business in 2020, co-founded by myself and my partner, Charles Jnr. Ashley. What started as a passion for baking and creating beautiful, delicious treats quickly grew into something more, a vision to share our creations on social media and a larger customer base.
🛍️In the early stages, we actively joined local markets around Honiara, to which we still do today. These markets gave us the opportunity to test our products, build our customer base, and gain valuable feedback face-to-face. They also helped us connect with other small business owners and feel part of a wider network of entrepreneurs.
🏬 As demand increased, we took a leap of faith – from a home-based business to local market stalls and to opening our first physical shop at Kobito/Naha Junction. This marked a major turning point for us. We recognized the opportunity not only to grow our business but also to create employment, share skills, serve more customers, and provide a more consistent experience.
💡 Today, Cravings remains rooted in the same passion and purpose that inspired us at the start. We've built a small but dedicated team that runs our daily operations, and we continue to explore new ways to grow.
Our journey is a testament to what’s possible with commitment, creativity, and a willingness to take bold steps forward. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been deeply rewarding.

2. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅?

👩‍💼Being a woman in business in the Solomon Islands means stepping into a space where I can lead, inspire, and being brave enough to create my own path. I believe there are many opportunities for women here, sometimes all it takes is the courage to take the first step.
⚖️I never planned to become an entrepreneur. I studied law and worked in a law firm for two years. But while doing that, I also started a small cake business with Charles. Over time, I felt drawn more and more to the creativity, the connection with customers, and the potential to grow something of our own. Eventually, I made the decision to leave law and focus fully on building Cravings.
🤝Support has played a huge role. From family, customers, and the community, every bit of encouragement helps keep the business going. I hope my journey reminds other women that their ideas and talents are worth pursuing, and that it’s okay to take a different path if it brings you closer to your purpose.

3. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕?

🌱Start small but start with what you have. Use what you have, whether it’s a recipe, a skill, or an idea, start nurturing it. Sometimes, the first step is as simple as selling one item, sharing your idea with someone you trust, or learning a new skill. What matters is starting.
⏳Stay consistent and be patient. Success doesn’t happen overnight. There will be slow days, challenges, and moments of doubt, but if you stay committed and keep showing up, your efforts will pay off. Don’t be afraid to take risks, especially if it’s something you truly believe in. There will be challenges, but every challenge is a chance to grow in your business.
📚Keep learning. Whether it’s through workshops, online videos, or just asking questions, knowledge is power. The more you learn, the more confident and independent you become.
💞 And most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for support. No successful woman does it completely alone. For me, I have an incredible partner to manage Cravings with. Find mentors, friends, or family who believe in you and your dreams. Their encouragement can carry you through tough times.
🌟 And finally, believe in your worth. Your dreams are valid, your ideas matter, and your ability to create something meaningful is already within you. Financial independence starts with self-belief.

𝘾𝒓𝙖𝒗𝙞𝒏𝙜𝒔 𝒊𝙨 𝙢𝒐𝙧𝒆 𝒕𝙝𝒂𝙣 𝙘𝒂𝙠𝒆𝙨. 𝑰𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙧𝒆𝙢𝒊𝙣𝒅𝙚𝒓 𝒕𝙝𝒂𝙩 𝙮𝒐𝙪𝒓 𝒊𝙙𝒆𝙖𝒔 𝒂𝙧𝒆 𝒑𝙤𝒘𝙚𝒓𝙛𝒖𝙡, 𝒚𝙤𝒖𝙧 𝙘𝒐𝙪𝒓𝙖𝒈𝙚 𝙞𝒔 𝒄𝙤𝒏𝙩𝒂𝙜𝒊𝙤𝒖𝙨, 𝒂𝙣𝒅 𝒚𝙤𝒖𝙧 𝙥𝒂𝙩𝒉 𝒅𝙤𝒆𝙨𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝙖𝒗𝙚 𝙩𝒐 𝒇𝙤𝒍𝙡𝒐𝙬 𝙖𝒏𝙮𝒐𝙣𝒆 𝒆𝙡𝒔𝙚’𝙨.

👉 Follow Cravings on Facebook and support local entrepreneurship—one sweet bite at a time!
#𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 #𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐚 #𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 #𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬 #𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 #𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬

17/07/2025

𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 No. 1
🌱𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧

🌾 Local farmers have continued to share updates highlighting ongoing challenges and opportunities in their communities. These insights continue to inform our efforts to create more inclusive and sustainable solutions.

🌴In response, VBMS will collaborate with the Honiara Council of Women and the Guadalcanal Provincial Council of Women to explore and implement inclusive strategies that directly address these concerns. This partnership aims to ensure that women’s voices and perspectives are central in shaping practical, community-driven outcomes.

Key Asks of the Campaign 🔈
👩‍🌾 1) Give Farmers a Dedicated Space at Central Market
👩‍🌾 2) Allow Famers to put their products on the table before paying - MUST pay at a reasonable price
👩‍🌾 3) Implement strong market rules to protect famers.

16/07/2025

🌱Hands That Plant Holds the Power Campaign🌱

Women Farmers Speak Out
🧺 “If mifala stand lo price blo mifala, oketa save seh eh ba wea na ufala save selem oketa market blo ufala lo price osem ya?”

This cry from women farmers highlights the painful reality they face daily at Central Market. Here are just some of the issues they’ve raised:

💰 Forced Price Reductions
Resellers pressure farmers to drop prices drastically—e.g., paying $100 for a bagful of cabbages worth more than $300, paying only $100 - $150 for a bag of kumara (sweet potato) worth $300 etc. Their tactics include arguing, negotiating, and insisting farmers accept whatever money they have even to the extent of stealing or "kaon" from these women farmers.

⛺ Market Space Taken Over
Resellers sleep overnight at the market, occupying tables even when they have nothing to sell treating the market like its their home despite regulations not permitting overnight stayers. Farmers return from villages only to find no space to set up.

👩🌾 No Respect for Farmers
Some resellers approach farmers aggressively taking produce or even stealing items outright. They treat farmers as if they’re invisible in a space meant for them.

🚚 Transport Costs & Daily Losses
With truck fees at $60 one way and added freight costs, a bad market day means farmers can’t afford a bag of rice or the fare to return home. Yet resellers profit while occupying all spaces.

💔 Discouraged & Displaced
“Wat oketa (black market/resellers) duim ya mekem mifala no like go market nao, mifala plant and kakaim noma what mifala plantim.”
The daily struggle discourages women from selling altogether. Many are questioning whether it's even worth going back.

🏛️ Call to Action
Farmers are urging responsible authorities to take immediate action—remove resellers or relocate them to a separate market site. Central Market must prioritize producers, not profiteers.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝗸 🔈
🟢Give farmers a designated and protected space in the market so they can sell their products directly and fairly.
🟢Ensure that resellers pay a reasonable and respectful price when farmers place their products on the table.
🟢Support market rules that prioritize and protect local producers, especially women farmers who work tirelessly.

🔄 Share this post.
✊ Support our farmers.
📣 Join the call for fair market practices.

14/07/2025

🌱 Hands That Plant Holds the Power 🌱

This week, Vois Blong Mere Solomon spoke with local farmers as part of our ongoing campaign, "Hands That Plant Holds the Power", amplifying voices often unheard yet central to our communities.
From the soil to the stall, these hands carry not only produce—but burdens.

🧄 Fees That Hurt More Than Help
Farmers shared struggles around market fees that fluctuate based on product—not space. With cassava, kumara, vegetables charged at $15, taro, yam, pana at $30, melon at $50, yet only 100-200cm space allocated, confusion reigns. Additional charges—storage depending on size needed ($20 or more), using of water ($5), toilet ($5 per entry without given a permit/pass - imagine having to use the toilet a number of times throughout the day paying $5 for each entry), shower ($10 per use without given a permit/pass), umbrella ($10–$20), umbrella stand ($20)—chip away at already small profits. Many feel the "wantok system" decides fees, while sometimes resellers skip payment altogether.

💔 Bullying in the Market Space
Reports of harassment shook us. Some farmers lose their produce right off trucks. Others are shouted at with degrading remarks: "yoooo - who naba paym oketa cabbage blo ufala ya?" or "if mifala no buym - who naba buym? or "mifala naba paym oketa cabbage ya - Ufala no sem ya?”
Elderly women, especially, face discrimination—$5 for cabbage, only for it to be halved and resold at $10. Black market vendors dominate space, while farmers with no one to speak up for them are displaced. Even basic vendor rights are ignored.

🚫 Voices Ignored
Despite reporting these issues, farmers feel sidelined. Reports to responsible authorities go unanswered - even market spaces get reshuffled without notice or reason(s).

🗣️ We Stand with Farmers
Their frustrations are real. Their voices matter.
Let’s listen. Let’s act. Let’s ensure that hands that plant truly hold the power—not just in the garden, but in the marketplace too.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝗸 🔈

🟢Give farmers a designated and protected space in the market so they can sell their products directly and fairly.
🟢Ensure that resellers pay a reasonable and respectful price when farmers place their products on the table.
🟢Support market rules that prioritize and protect local producers, especially women farmers who work tirelessly.

🔄 Share this post.
✊ Support our farmers.
📣 Join the call for fair market practices.