Women Make Waves – empowering women and advancing gender equality through surfing.
Here’s our new series showcasing how surfing can be a force for change and female empowerment. The first in the series focuses on Women Make Waves, a collaborative initiative for the Solomon Islands using the power of surfing to drive meaningful change for the girls and women of the region.
In the Solomon Islands, gender inequality is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs impacting women’s access to education, healthcare and decision-making. Women Make Waves leverages surfing to advance gender equality, end gender-based violence (GBV), and empower women in Solomon Islands. The programs are designed to be safe spaces, promote positive relationships between men and women, showcase women’s abilities, and help them take their place in society and thrive to make waves of change.
The programs are not traditional sports models focused on improving talent or increasing participation. Instead, they are sport-for-development programs. Women Make Waves say, “We leverage surfing as a tool for broader societal change, partnering with organisations who share common goals to empower women and advance gender equality. Sport serves as a unique catalyst for challenging cultural and gender norms, complementing educational efforts by providing practical opportunities.” This will lead to giving the women and girls status in their communities, to showcase their abilities and take their place in society, which will hopefully create an opportunity for leadership roles in the community.
Women Make Waves collaborates with five key organisations, including SurfAid, Western Solomon Surfing Association (WSSA), Australian Volunteers Program, Family Support Centre (FSC), and Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA).
We asked the founder of Women Make Waves Aussie surfer Claire Ellem, who lives in the Solomons about the initiative.
How has the local community responded to Women Make Waves?
This is the first initiative of its kind in the Solomon Islands and getting it off the ground has been challenging due to its remoteness and the complex logistics involved. Despite these hurdles, the local community is incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated. They’ve never seen anything like this before, but the support has been great. I believe it will leave a lasting impact on the islands for years to come—ideally continuing to make a difference well into the future.
How do you feel Women Make Waves will drive societal change in the Solomons?
In the Solomon Islands, numerous cultural and social norms limit women’s participation in society, and this extends to aspiring and current women surfers. Women and girls are traditionally confined to household chores, but our program seeks to challenge and change these perceptions. Through collaboration with local education partners, we educate students about gender topics early on to open their minds about traditional gender roles and demonstrate that they don’t need to exist.
Our program also focuses on empowering women to reclaim their rights through women’s health education. Both programs are integrated with surfing lessons provided by female and male surfing instructors. This year, the WSSA has worked diligently to adopt policies and practices that promote gender equality and set a leading example in the community. Our surf instructors are trained to become advocates for change and role models, with a strong emphasis on involving men in the dialogue for lasting impact.
Our goal is not only to inspire positive relationships between both genders but empower women to participate in surfing that will help them engage confidently in all aspects of society.
In what ways do you feel surfing can address broader issues such as gender stereotypes and women’s rights?
Living in the Solomon islands, i’ve seen how sport can hold immense potential for driving positive societal change, and surfing emphasises this idea well. As a form of “sport for development,” surfing leverages its influence to challenge and reshape traditional norms. It encourages positive relationships between men and women genders, fosters respect, and a sense of community.
By promoting equality within the sport, surfing organisations can show that gender equality is not just an ideal but a tangible reality. Implementing policies, offering equal opportunities, and fostering leadership roles all contribute to reshaping how gender roles are perceived and accepted both in and out of the water.
In cultures where women’s roles are often restricted, seeing women actively participating in surfing directly challenges the stereotype of the sport being male dominated. This visibility is incredibly inspiring and encourages others to question and rethink traditional gender roles. As women and girls engage in surfing, they not only gain respect but also contribute to a broader acceptance of gender equality.
What are your future plans for Women Make Waves?
Ideally, the plan would be to expand Women Make Waves into more schools in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Our program’s “team up” approach, which involves collaborating with various organisations, creates further opportunity for sustainable pathways for its continued success and delivery.
Women Make Waves is supported by the Australian Government through the Team Up Program.
Keep updated follow the Western Solomon Surfing Association on Facebook.
