Tourism Solomons’ women ‘Give To Gain’ for International Women’s Day

Marking the 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day and proudly embracing the 2026 ‘Give To Gain’ theme, the women of Tourism Solomons last week spent the day at Honiara’s National Referral Hospital presenting a special gift to children receiving care – hand-knitted teddies.

The teddies have been generously donated by Melbourne-based Mrs Barb Skewes, the mother of Tourism Solomons Australia/New Zealand Trade Manager, Richard Skewes, who has made hundreds of the bears over the years.

Tourism Solomons Head of Sales & Marketing Fiona Teama said she was very grateful to the Skewes family for enabling the women on her team to make such a wonderful gesture.

Mrs Skewes’ Teddies

“The teddy bears presented us with a perfect opportunity to do something special for the children and their mothers and was a perfect fit for the ‘Give To Gain’ theme,” she said.

“Nursing sick children at any time, let alone in a hospital, is a tough job.

“So to see those little faces light up when they received their bears was the best medicine for everyone there on the day, including my team.”

Celebrated for many years by the women of the Solomon Islands, Ms Teama said International Women’s Day remains significant for her and her colleagues, and all women in the Solomon Islands.

“In the Solomon Islands, the day gives us a good reason to both look back at just how much women have achieved over the years,” she said.

“It also gives us pause to consider the present where every day we are reminded not just what women have accomplished and are accomplishing, but also how accomplished women are and how integral they are to Solomon Islands society.”