Outcome SLB_D_2.1

Inclusive, effective and representative marketplace groups are created and grow, contributing to gender, social and economic advancement, the elimination of gender-based discrimination and violence and expanded economic opportunities

In this reporting year outcome 2.1 was achieved. Women market vendors are more organized, One new market vendors association at the Munda market was created and formally registered with company Haus as a non profit organisation. Women market vendors are more educated about the important roles they play in their markets. The three existing market associations in Honiara, Gizo and Auki have grown and making external partnerships to address issues at the market such as waste management, violence against women and horticulture. All Market vendors associations have become confident in developing various products for their vendors. Auki market vendors association have developed a saving package for its member resulting in its members diversifying their products and increase their income. Honiara Market vendors association have introduced mobile marketing during the COVID 19 outbreak. Resulting in increased leadership, confidence, income and economic opportunities for its members. The MVAs consist of 60 to 80 percentage women, 100 percent women in leadership roles and are advocating actively on issues affecting women at the market place to market authorities. Market vendors associations are very vocal on market related consultations and projects. 179 (171 Females, 8 Males) 90 percent women market vendors are trained and received food safety and hygiene certificates which will enable them to sell cooked food at public spaces. Three market ordinances was drafted for Western and Malaita Provinces and Honiara City council. The market ordinances are updated and widely consulted on. Women market vendors came out in numbers to attend the consultations and contribute to it. The market ordinances once enacted will positively contribute to improved services at the markets, resulting increase income for vendors. Women market vendors are knowledgeable about market ordinances and laws governing markets.

Inclusive, effective and representative marketplace groups are created and grow, contributing to gender, social and economic advancement, the elimination of gender-based discrimination and violence and expanded economic opportunities

The four market vendor associations (MVAs) in the Solomon Islands, namely the Auki MVA, the Gizo MVA, the Honiara MVA and the Munda MVA, continue to be inclusive, effective, and representative under the leadership of strong women leaders. All four MVA presidency positions have been taken up by women. Moreover, in all four MVAs, women fill almost all of the executive and leadership roles. This strong leadership presence of women in the MVAs are ensuring that the voice of women are heard and magnified at all levels, and that workplace barriers causes by gender biases are removed. This role has become increasingly important as MVA Presidents (all women) are also members of the Market Steering Committees established by the Market Management that provide overall over sight to the management of the market. In addition, these MVAs have demonstrated good governance, transparency and increasing accountability through effective operations and management, demonstrated in ways such as holding their annual general meetings and general elections for members. The MVAs are now functioning under new constitutions, which has given the women leaders greater confidence to plan, organize, negotiate, and implement activities. These activities include those which open up social and economic opportunities for market vendors to actively participate in. Increasingly, more and more market vendors are able to claim their rights through active participation the MVAs. These include active engagements in consultations for the development and/or reviews of marketplace policies and plans of action, broad-based participation in local and regional fora and panel discussions on women’s empowerment and economics, amongst other topics, and representation of members at various nation and regional meetings.