PAGEANT CONTESTANTS MEET PRIME MINISTER

Eight young Solomon Islands women vying for the Miss Solomon Islands crown have met Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare recently.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the meeting is the first of all appointments lined up for the Miss Solomon Islands Contestants ahead of today’s crowning night.

Director of the 2015 Miss Solomon Islands Organising Committee Joyce Konofilia introduced the pageant contestants to Prime Minister Sogavare.

She said the meeting reflects the importance they place on the Prime Minister as the head of government.

The theme for this year’s Miss Solomon Islands contest is: “Women are our Equal Partners in Development.”

Ms Konofilia said the Committee and pageant contestants believe that women are very important in all spheres of the society.

She thanked the Prime Minister for accepting their request for an audience with him.

Meanwhile in his response, Prime Minister Sogavare said he was honoured to meet Mrs Konofilia and the pageant contestants as they gear up for tonight’s crowning event.

He told them the organisations they represent had chosen them because of the values they possess and that they believe, women are equal partners with men in development.

Prime Minister Sogavare said this year’s theme is a challenging one, especially in a male-dominated society like Solomon Islands.

The Prime Minister said the best way the women of Solomon Islands can stand up to their challenge is to shine out in their various positions of leadership, whether it be in the kitchen, school or workplace.

Prime Minister Sogavare assured the contestants he will attend the pageant show tonight.

Tonight’s winner will represent Solomon Islands at the 2015 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant to be held in the Cook Islands next year.