“Women are leaders, innovators and givers. They are scientists, teachers and nurturers. They have vision, compassion and the will to improve their communities, which, in turn, brings change on a global scale."

Meanwhile, the Queen, in her Commonwealth Day message, noted 26 million girls are born every year across the 54 member nations.

Despite all the advancements women have made and the accomplishments they’ve achieved, she suggested more could be done to ensure they play an “even larger role” in society.

“The commendable goal is to create a greater opportunity for women as children and adults to pursue their hopes and dreams, to attain their goals, and to make best use of their talents and knowledge,” she said.

The only woman ever to be elected to Parliament in Solomon Islands says its disappointing more women won’t be running in next month’s election. The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission believes 23 of the 509 candidates standing in the August 4 election are women, down slighty from the 26 who stood in the 2006 election. Hilda Kari, who’s also a former president of the National Council of Women, says that falls short of her goal of having a woman standing in each of the 50 constituencies.

“Media is very powerful and has great influence over the public views issues and actions they take, especially at this time in the run up elections,” says Val Stanley of UNIFEM.

Ms Stanley said the workshop should enable the media to report their articles with sensitivity to gender and women and to help them understand how to assist the election process through the way they approach gender issues.