GOV’T ACKNOWLEDGED FOR TAKING POSITIVE STEPS
Stop Violence poster. Photo credit: g21.com.au
The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs says the Solomon Islands Government has taken positive steps to address violence against women since the Family Health and Safety Study in 2009.
The study had found that 64 percent of women, aged 15 to 49 who were in relationships, reported experiencing physical or sexual violence, or both, from an intimate partner.
Pioni Boso of the Ministry says, the Government’s work to address the issue followed the release of the Study.
She says these include the endorsement of national polices on gender equality and women’s development, and a sub-policy on Eliminating Violence against Women.
“The Solomon Islands Government took positive steps to address this issue through the endorsement of the National Policies on Gender Equality and Women’s Development and Eliminating Violence against Women in 2010. Since then a lot of milestones have been achieved, one of which is the signing of the Safe Net memorandum of understanding in 2013 between the five service providers namely the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, the Christian Care Centre, Family Support Centre, Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs through the Public Solicitor’s office.”
Ms Boso made the remarks at the launching of the Seif Ples Clinic in Honiara this week.