THREE members of the Solomon Islands Women in News Media (SIWNM) proudly represented the country at the inaugural Pacific Women in Media Conference 2025, held in Suva, Fiji.
Hosted by Women in Media Fiji in partnership with the Fijian Media Association, the two-day event took place at the Grand Pacific Hotel from 17–18 June 2025.
Held under the theme “Resilience in a Rapidly Evolving Media Landscape,” the conference brought together female journalists from across the region to engage in meaningful dialogue, networking, and capacity building.
For the SIWNM representatives, the conference offered a valuable opportunity to connect share experiences with their fellow pacific
counterparts.
In an interview with Isles media, Sharon Nanau from the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) shared her sentiments, stating it gave her insight to challenges faced by the region’s female journalists.
“One of the most comforting things was learning that the challenges we face in the Solomon Islands are shared by women journalists across the region,” Sharon said.
“Knowing that I am not alone in this journey is uplifting.” Tavuli News journalist and co-founder Lisa Osifelo said the conference was
a valuable experience.
“I learned so much from other women media practitioners across the Pacific—about their struggles, their strength, and how they continue to empower each other. We created alliances and strengthened collaborations that will go a long
way.”
Another participant, Indy Maealasia of the Island Sun said the conference boosted her confidence.
“The event was transformative,” Maealasia said.
She participated in a panel discussion on the role of journalists in amplifying women’s issues.
“It was such a privilege to speak on a regional stage. I gained confidence and learned how important it is to report effectively on women’s issues,” Maealasia said.”
“The conference also gave me space to build networks with other Pacific women in media.”
The trio were joined by other female journalists from Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Niue.
Prior to the conference, participants also had the opportunity to visit the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) and the Fiji’s oldest newspaper the Fiji Times.
