Christina's Blog

Solomon Islands

Christina Ora
Honiara Youth Council

“I started public speaking when I was 7 years old, but every time I stand up to talk I still get nervous. The way I see it is that you can either be nervous and have fear intervene or you can turn that nervousness into something exciting.

Women’s representation in politics is not changing rapidly, but I feel that things are changing. We are slowly coming to understand that the change we want to see will only come if we stop pointing fingers and all do our small part to make that change. Whether that’s the policies put forward, the kinds of politicians we put in the House, the kinds of things taught in schools or the attitudes and beliefs we have within the community. That starts with us.

I really feel passionate about leadership and I see myself as a young leader. I feel that I have a lot to give back to my country. I want to be who I am, and if that means I have to go against certain beliefs and certain norms that society has for women, I have to do that. Not only for me, but for my siblings, for the young women who are within my age group, for the young women who are going to come after us.

Putting this into action might upset women in my family and community, but I am educating them. They would want their daughter to be confident, to be bold, to know about CEDAW
and to know about her rights, her sexuality and to know about the world. In order to make that happen, in order to create that future, allow me to be who I am and be proud of me.”