Australia Awards Alumni Women in Leadership Award Announced

To celebrate International Women's Day in 2025, the winners of the inaugural Australia Awards alumni Women in Leadership Awards have been announced, with Ms. Lorah Kwanairara receiving the honor.

The award aims to recognize women who demonstrate exceptional talent, leadership, and dedication in their respective fields, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for others. At the same time, the award also pays tribute to women who drive positive change in communities, workplaces, and industries, and set an example for future generations.

Ms. Kwanairara completed her Bachelor of Laws degree with the support of the Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship and graduated in 2017. She was nominated for her outstanding leadership, advocacy, and contributions to supporting survivors of gender-based violence, including representing women and girl survivors in court.

Through her work at the Family Support Centre, SafeNet, and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Ms. Kwanairara has used her legal knowledge and skills to ensure that women are aware of their human rights and have fair access to justice, including in the provinces. "I am honored to receive this award for my work as a gender equality and women's rights advocate," Ms. Kwanairara said. "I developed a passion for helping women and girls during my time in law school, as I knew many were suffering from violence and being treated unfairly due to gender, cultural, and religious expectations."

Ms. Kwanairara has inspired other women with legal backgrounds to help vulnerable women and girls understand their rights under Solomon Islands law. As part of the alumni award, Australia will provide her with funding support of 25,000 Solomon Islands dollars for her continued leadership and professional development.

If you are a change-maker looking to study at a world-class Australian university, applications to study in Australia in 2026 are now open, with a deadline of 11:59 PM on March 31, 2025. Late applications will not be considered. For more information, please visit: [https://solomonislands.embassy.gov.au/honi/study.html](https://solomonislands.embassy.gov.au/honi/study.html).