LocationsCelebrating Rural Women: A New Chapter in Munda’s Agricultural Story
October 15, 2025
Munda, Western Province, Solomon Islands - Today, as the world honours the International Day for Rural Women, a wave of transformation is sweeping through the heart of the Western Province. In Munda, thirty determined market vendors and farmers—26 women and 4 men—are rewriting the story of rural development, one skill, one product, and one empowered community at a time.
This week, the Markets for Change (M4C) Project team, alongside IFAD and JP RWEE, implemented a four-day intensive training initiative that is reshaping lives and livelihoods. The programme focused on food processing, packaging, and business development, equipping participants with practical tools to diversify income sources and cascade knowledge throughout their communities.
From the bustling stalls of Munda Market to the shelves of local supermarkets and the canteens of remote villages, the ripple effect of this training is already being felt. Rural women—often the unsung heroes of agricultural resilience—are now stepping forward as innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
Women at the Forefront of Change
Rural women in the Solomon Islands have long been the backbone of agricultural production and market activity. Yet, their contributions have often gone unrecognised. The recent training initiative in Munda is changing that narrative—bringing together men and women to learn, innovate, and grow their farming businesses side by side.
From soil management and crop diversification to financial literacy and cooperative marketing, participants are gaining the tools they need to thrive in a changing economy. For many women, this marks the first time they have had access to formal agricultural education and business support.
Munda Market vendors.
Markets for Change: Building Inclusive Economies
The training aligns with the broader goals of the Markets for Change (M4C) programme—a regional initiative active in Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. M4C is dedicated to improving the economic security and working conditions of women market vendors by strengthening market infrastructure, enhancing vendor capacity, and promoting gender equality.
In Munda and beyond, M4C has helped transform local marketplaces into safer, more inclusive spaces where women can thrive as entrepreneurs and leaders. The programme’s impact is visible not only in upgraded facilities but also in the growing confidence and economic independence of women vendors through its capacity development initiatives.
Voices from the Field
“Before this training, I didn’t know how to add value to my produce or how to do packaging and labelling,” says Grace Gabriel from Munda. “Now I feel like a real businesswoman. I can support my family and teach others what I’ve learnt.”
“We’re not just growing crops—we’re growing a community. Women are supporting their husbands, and this week’s training is very encouraging. I now know what to do with the leftover produce from my farm,” says Gila Eke from Villa Village, Munda.
A Global Moment, A Local Movement
As the world marks the International Day of Rural Women, the story unfolding in Munda is a powerful reminder of what is possible when rural women are empowered. With the right support, they become agents of change—building resilient communities, feeding nations, and shaping a more equitable future.
About the Programmes
Markets for Change (M4C) is a regional initiative aimed at improving the economic security and working conditions of women market vendors in Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. M4C focuses on strengthening market infrastructure, vendor capacity, and gender equality to create more sustainable and inclusive marketplaces.
The M4C project is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and with support from the Government of Australia.
JP RWEE Phase II is a global initiative implemented in Niger, Nepal, Tunisia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Pacific Islands (Fiji, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Tonga). Its overarching goal is to secure rural women’s livelihoods, rights, and resilience in the context of sustainable development. The programme is jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the World Food Programme (WFP), and supported by Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland, through the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) and the Gates Foundation.
For more information, please contact:
Jilgina Kimisi, Markets for Change Project Associate, Solomon Islands (E) jilgina.kimisi@undp.org or
Vilisi Veibataki, Markets for Change Project Manager, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji (E) vilisi.veibataki@undp.org
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