The former head of the United Nations Development programme, Helen Clark, is opening a women's summit in Solomon Islands today.

The National Women's Leadership workshop focusses on supporting women's participation in the country's upcoming general elections.

Ms Clark, who is also a former New Zealand prime minister, is to share her experiences as a parliamentarian with women, youth and national leaders.

She is due to give the workshop's keynote address titled "Inclusion and Equality: Why women's political leadership matters".

The Honiara meeting seeks to connect local, intending women candidates with established female political leaders from around the Pacific region.

Ms Clark is expected to stay in the country for four days.