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Protection committee launched to build women and girls capacity in disaster response

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Protection Committee Co-chair and Oxfam Country Director Solomon Islands, Dolores Devesi.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

A National Protection Committee was launched last night in Honiara. Established under arrangements from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), the National Protection Committee is to localize disaster response and coordination.

Implemented by the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), this new project aims to strengthen women and girls capacity through protection and gender in humanitarian response.

Speaking last night during the launch, Permanent Secretary of the MWYCFA, Dr Cedric Alependava says his Ministry has obligations to support the committee.

“Unfortunately, the Ministry does not have sufficient budget to cover for the committee’s operations. Instead we depend on our members and NDMO for operational assistance and in some cases building the capacity of our committee members,” Alependava said.

He says because of this, he is grateful.

Protection Committee Co-chair and Oxfam Country Director Solomon Islands, Dolores Devesi.

At the same time, UN Women says they are excited to support MWYCFA. Given the high levels of exposure to hazards that Solomon Islands face, a representative of UN Women has said that these efforts will play a critical role in disaster risk reduction efforts.

Also in a press statement, head of Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) Ghita El Khyari says WPHF is thrilled to see this project putting women and girls of Solomon Islands at the heart of localization strategies for disaster response.

“Globally humanitarian action has had limited input from experience of these marginalised groups,” Khyari said.

Protection Committee Co-chair and Oxfam Country Director Solomon Islands, Dolores Devesi.

Also speaking at the launch last night, Protection Committee Co-chair, Dolores Devesi says NDMO and MWYCFA must be commended for this initiative.

She says as members of the SI Protection Committee, Oxfam remain committed to this work project.

“As a group of lead humanitarian agencies, gender and protection remain a core commitment to our preparedness, response and recovery efforts. We are confident of the Ministry’s leadership and project delivery capabilities and will continue to support this project,” Devesi said.

The project launch last night also have planned activities that includes the establishment of two provincial committees in Solomon Islands, namely Makira and Isabel.

The project activities began in September this year (2018) and is expected to end in September 2020. It is funded by WPHF.

Stakeholders within the National Protection Committee.
UN Women Director for Programmes, Ms Maria-Noel
Vaeza.

Woodford International School supports communities to flourish through art

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ELLISON VAHI

THE Woodford International School is helping communities flourish through art.

In a social media statement, WIS said the Dreamcast Theatre and Woodford International School entered into a lease agreement for the use of HAMs Theatre building for future theatre shows, trainings and entrepreneurial endeavours.

The collaboration shares on social media that through their shows they have seen many ordinary people doing extraordinary things to overcome the struggles before them, most through laughter, some through tears, and through music.

“We show love and make truth simple through powerful imagination,” they said.

“The celebration is not only of being a growing theatre company since 2005, but to pay respect to the perseverance of everyone responsible for helping to keep Dreamcast going for those 13 years and helping us to secure a future for young artists in our beloved country.

“We are very touched and exceedingly grateful for the school’s generous support towards Dreamcast Theatre. HAMS Theatre is a great help and first step to all we seek to do to reach other young people in the country through the art we love.”

Dreamcast Theatre and Woodford International School said their priority from now until January 2019 will be to put on a new-look and feel to the space thus getting sponsors for their planned renovation/improvement work.

Dreamcast Theatre and Woodford International School said they will soon announce their first show and launching to officially open their year-long programme.

Pacific and Bougainville young women told to persist to become great leaders

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Naomi Woyengu Executive Director for Young Women Christians Association in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG)

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Naomi Woyengu Executive Director for Young Women Christians Association in Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea (PNG)

YOUNG women leaders from Pacific nations and across Bougainville who have attended the recent Bougainville Young women leaders meeting have been encouraged to ‘persist in doing good deeds to become great leaders’.

Executive Director for Young Women Christians Association in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG) Naomi Woyengu addressing the closing event encouraged the female participants that being a leader is not easy because growth comes with challenges in life.

“As young as you are being the kind of young women that you are bold step out and speak up be the kind of young person that you want to take risk and challenge yourself.

“Great people they are mean to stand out you are not mean to be in a crowd but to be great it’s not easy; if greatness was an easy thing we will see a lot of young people here.

“But the greatness of you being great is persistence if you want to become leader or become somebody you must not give up, you must push for it, fight for it.

“If you want your voice to be heard you must continue the discussion of what you have learned from the meeting to become an extraordinary young female leader,” said Woyengu.

She uttered persistence is what separates great people from ordinary people so if a person wants to be great he/she has to persist.

Jean Jano, from Eastern Highlands Family Voice, an observer of the forum stated, “I was really impressed at the leadership skills the young women portrayed, there were certainly challenges, however the young women were very confident and know that they need to speak their mind.”

The Bougainville Women’s Federation (BWF) through its Young Women’s Leadership Project hosted its forum with the theme BREAK THE SILENCE! Hear Our Voice! Held from October 23-25, 2018 at Marimari House, Arawa, Central Bougainville.

Over 150 people attended the forum, including young women from North, Central and South Bougainville, young male advocates, mentors, and guests from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji.

This year also saw guests from Fiji, Solomon Islands, Voice for Change (Jiwaka), Wide Bay Conservation Association (East Pomio, ENB), YWCA (Port Moresby), Eastern Highlands Family Voice and International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

CCECC graces Gilo

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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One of the CCECC staff showing headmaster Pesira one of the item donated to the school.

A primary school of perseverance

By Alfred Sasako

One of the CCECC staff showing headmaster Pesira one of the item donated to the school.

WHEN Gilo Primary School headmaster, Romano Pesira, wrote to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) recently, seeking help for the school, no one expected a timely response.

Mr Pesira asked CCECC, one of China’s 85 State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), to consider building an access road to Gilo Primary School, a stone’s throw away from the main road.

The company is completing a 10km-long stretch of road from Mberande to Mbokokimbo after it won the project last year. The project is due to be completed next month.

Country Manager Pengfei Huang told the gathering since its arrival, CCECC has been concentrating on construction work and building community relationship.

“This project began on 1st March 2018 and will be completed at the end of November,” Mr Huang said.

“With the support and help from government and communities, this project is progressing very successfully at this time. Meanwhile, a great relationship has been established between communities and CCECC,” he said.

The Company employs about 30 local workers on the road construction project. Mr Huang said CCECC is considering building a wooden bridge over a creek, which separates Gilo Primary School and its new access road.

“… we do hope that our construction work and concentration on communities will really improve this area and we do hope that you can continue to support CCECC,” Mr. Huang said.

Headmaster Pesira took advantage of CCECC’s presence in the area, knowing that once the road is completed, there might not be anyone else to approach about the needs of the school.

“It was more or less a shot in the dark,” Mr Pesira told Island Sun at a brief ceremony marking the completion of the access road yesterday.

Rackson Dadalo, a project engineer represented the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) at the ceremony. CCECC donated exercise books, note books, pencils, erasers and school bags for the 227 students who enrolled at the school this year.

Mr Pesira, from Makira/Ulawa Province, was not alone in his thinking that he might never receive a response, given that CCECC is a foreign company.

Community Chief, Gabriel Lovanitila told the small gathering that although Gilo Primary School in North East Guadalcanal is one of the Province’s oldest schools, it had been overlooked by its political leaders.

“We should now have classrooms in permanent buildings. But as you can see nothing has changed for this School in the last 50 years. We are still using classrooms made of sago palm leaf, Mr. Lovanitila said.

“This is because our requests for assistance have fallen on deaf ears over the years. We even asked for a police station to be built here, but nothing has been done,” he said.

“Today, we are really thankful to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation for its help.”

Negotiations to set up Gilo Primary School began in 1963. Formal classes began five years later. The School was initially administered by the South Sea Evangelical Mission (SSEM), now South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC), but was later transferred to the Guadalcanal Provincial Government.

This year students raised some $3, 000 through a colorton organised by teachers.

“We have used the money raised by the students to build a new double-storey classroom to accommodate the growing number of students who have and will enroll here,” Mr Pesira said.

Taiwan acrobatic troupe ready to wow local crowd

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe arrives at Henderson Airport.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

AN eight-member Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe from National Taiwan College of Performing Arts arrived in the country yesterday afternoon.

In an interview with Island Sun, Wang, Hsueh-Yen, team leader and Director Secretary of the college said they have come well prepared, are confident and look forward to giving the audience an exciting array of mind blowing performances.

He expressed that among all the programs they have set out to showcase in the country, one they would like to highlight is “Massive Transformations”.

Hsueh-Yen says it is a trick where they can change faces in less than a second.

He adds that the trick is a secret and only known around in their community.

Hsueh-Yen mentioned that they will also perform the trick for Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela.

In relation, he said another special part of their program will be having some interactions with the crowd or guests.

Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe will be in Solomon Islands from October 31 to November 6. This is their second visit to the country since their first visit 26 years ago.

Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe arrives at Henderson Airport.

Govt promise to invest more in ECD

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, Radio New Zealand carried a news bulletin today, Wednesday, 31 October 2018, that the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, the Hon, Rick Hou, has said there are huge gaps in local health care, education and protection systems that are holding children back.

Mr Hou was reported to have said the government was introducing one year of pre-primary education, passing welfare legislation and providing better training for health workers.

I am particularly pleased of the promise made and very much hope there will be sustained efforts by the Solomon Islands government to fulfill the undertaking to make more investment in the early years of a child’s life, being crucial for development.

All Solomon Islands children need a better quality of education, a better school infrastructure, improved health care, clean drinking water, hygiene, sanitation facilities, awareness programmes and income sources for their parents.

I feel confident all such concerns were on the mind of the Prime Minister when he reportedly made the promises I have outlined.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Financing sustainability and long-term effectiveness of the health sector

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, last week in the Solomon Islands the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the Hon. Manasseh Sogavare spoke at a welcome gathering at the Mendana Hotel where he addressed a party of visiting Asia Development Bank (ADB) Directors.

Mr. Sogavare was reported to have acknowledged the valuable contributions by ADB in the Solomon Islands over several years and he stressed the 45 years of sustained partnership and how much ADB’s financing, technical assistance, policy advice and willingness to respond to the country’s needs had been appreciated.

The Deputy Prime Minister went on to mention, specifically, the many benefits the Solomons had received from the ADB including improvements to the transport infrastructure with development projects in the areas of roads, bridges, wharves as well as susidised shipping routes.

Mr. Sogavare then highlighted the the lack of basic infrastructure and services for the majority of the people, saying Solomon Islands needing investment and growth in the infrastructure, services, social spending, and disaster risk management.

He said, “All these require large amount of concessional financing.”

One aspect of what the deputy Prime Minister picked up on, and was of special interest to me, was his acknowledgement of the technical and capacity support rendered by ADB on the preparatory work for the National Referral Hospital (NRH) relocation project.

I feel sure all will agree with what Mr. Sogavare said about the laudable assistance of the ADB in particular about aiding the country’s infrastructure and the technical and capacity support for the NRH relocation project.

Given the reported poor state of health services particularly in the Western Province, however, as highlighted in an open forum held in Gizo in mid- September this year, I was hoping to be able to learn more of the ADB’s assistance to the Solomon Islands health and medical services during the ADB Directors visit.

I mention this for several reasons and explain why I raise it

Firstly, in the Gizo forum, the Director for Provincial Health Services in the Western Province had said 14 health facilities were now closed as well as health facilities and all health activities were facing big challenges due to drug shortages, storage and delivery services.

Out of the Province’s 63 health facilities 14 were already closed down due to deterioration and land issues.

The closure of many health clinics throughout the Solomon Islands due to deterioration is a major concern that I have cited on previous occasions and I think of the many communities across the length and breadth of the country were the sick and those needing medical attention locally are being deprived of their basic human rights to medical care when needing help.

My second point is the fact that in June this year, the ADB’s Board of Directors approved a total financing package of $195 million to support the delivery of accessible, affordable, and high quality health services in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The financing package was reported to comprise of two regular loans worth $100 million and $45.10 million and a $49.90 million concessional loan—all sourced from ADB’s ordinary capital resources balance sheet—to help PNG’s efforts in achieving universal health coverage.

Interestingly, ADB’s Health Specialist for the Pacific, Ms Inez Mikkelsen- Lopez, said at the time (quote)

“PNG’s poor health outcomes are the result of deteriorating healthcare services caused by volatile and unpredictable health financing as well as weaknesses in government systems and in health sector capacities.”

“Limited investments in the country’s health infrastructure as well as suboptimal health sector governance also undermine service delivery.”

All of what the ADB’s Health Specialist for the Pacific was quoted as having said about the health sector in PNG sounds all too familiar in respect of the Solomon Islands situation.

It would be my hope, therefore, that the ADB might further aid the Solomon Islands, if requested, to enable the long-term sustainability and effective use of the country’s health sector financing and deficiencies in rural health facilities and patient’s welfare.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Private Sector enlightened on new Electoral Act

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SIEC CEO making his presentation on the new Act.

Warned to respect legal rights of employees to vote & reminded of the public holiday status of Election Day

By Gary Hatigeva

MEMBERS of the Private Sector under the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SICCI) were yesterday, engaged in a session with the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) for talks on the Electoral Act 2018.

Organised by the Chamber of Commerce, the session was intended to update its members on the activities involved in the election process, and the responsibility of the Commission, public and the private sector particularly, the business community.

The SIEC team informed the business community about the Electoral Commission Act and its implications as well as important dates for the National General Election next year.

In the session Philotea Paul, the Commission’s Head of Media and Communications Awareness, spoke on the general aspects of the election process, and shared on the status of the activities that are currently underway, and others that are yet to come, including the recently completed registration programme.

Philotea Paul of SIEC speaking to members of SICCI.

The Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer, Mose Saitala on the other hand, spoke on the application and legal aspect of the new act, which he highlighted matters on the involvement of business houses in the process.

He also presented on the changes that were made under the new act from the old one, and the new provisions that have been included, at the same time enlightened the gathering on the particular sections within the act that were enacted for next year’s election.

In his presentation, Saitala revealed and pointed out that the Electoral, which was recently passed by parliament, has made it illegal for businesses particularly, foreign owned or those that have foreign shareholders, to be involved and support any part of individual candidates in their campaign activities.

Under the heading Campaign expenses & donations, the Act warns and made it clear that any candidate who accepts campaign donation from a non-citizen person or a company who has a non-citizen shareholder commit an offence: Penalty – $50,000 or 5 years imprisonment or both.

The gathering was also enlightened on provisions within the Electoral Act, which made it compulsory for business houses to allow for their employees to exercise their constitutional rights to cast a vote during Election Day.

They were however warned that the Act has also made the Election Day a public holiday, which according to the SIEC CEO, businesses and companies within the private sector are ought to recognise the application of the Labour Laws in terms of employee salaries and wages.

The Act has made it lawful that it is the duty of employers to release voters, and warned that any employer, who does not release a voter to cast his or her vote, commits an offence, and can be penalised with a $10,000 fine.

SIEC CEO making his presentation on the new Act.

However, the part in which the act stipulates on the status of voting for all eligible voters did not gone down well with a lot of those from the private sector who expressed concerns over the potential negative impact this decision will have, on their businesses and operations.

The Act has made it legal for all eligible voters to cast their votes, making it compulsory for both the public and private sectors to allow for their employees to exercise this constitutional right.

It was shared that the amount of time required in the back and forth movements by employees for the election, will also affect business operations, stressing that people will need more than a day off to take part in the election activity, where in some cases, people are expected to travel longer distances, and according to those concerned, it will require at least a week to leave for elections.

While he conquered with the concerns, the CEO stressed that with the Act now in place, the onus will go back to the employers and their employees to make arrangements in terms of salary/wage payments, and the issue surrounding days off.

As it is now a legal mandate allowed for by the new electoral act, the SIEC CEO therefore advised all to start their preparations and planning, ahead of the next year’s election.

New Crafts Market Centre to open in Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The newly built Crafts Market Centre at Mendana Avenue, next to National Art Gallery, Honiara. Photo from GCU
The newly built Crafts Market Centre at Mendana Avenue, next to National Art Gallery, Honiara. Photo from GCU

THE Ministry of Culture and Tourism will officially open the newly built Crafts Market Centre in Honiara tomorrow.

The Centre is to cater for the exhibitions and sales of local traditional handicrafts by our cultural producers and entrepreneurs.

This is part of strengthening and building the cultural industries sector in Solomon Islands.

Director of Culture and Tourism, Denis Marita said the crafts market centre will basically be used by our local handicrafts producers and entrepreneurs.

“Consideration will be given to arts and cultural associations engaged in the cultural industries sector, whereby their members can benefit through the provision of a conducive environment to market and promote their art and cultural products,” Marita said.

He said the centre will help to contribute to the country’s economy thru the cultural industries and tourism sectors.

“The handicrafts sector is also a niche market for tourism which can also be seen as part of the Culture Tourism Economy.”

Marita added Solomon Islands handicrafts and local artistic work have been rated as some of the best in world and as such, the need for a proper venue to harness the development and growth of this sector is deemed as an urgent priority.

“Currently, our unique handicraft and cultural products are displayed on street pavements and on the ground, subsequently degrading the value and respect for these authentic works of art and culture.

“The country needs a conducive and pleasant environment where our authentic products can be displayed with honour and dignity,” he said.

Marita said the crafts market centre will be run and maintained by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

“Local cultural producers and Entrepreneurs will direct benefit from this centre through the sale of their products.

“Users will be paying rent to the government for its usage and as such provides direct revenue income for the government.”

The Crafts Market Centre project was initiated back in 2015 in a partnership approach between two ministries (Ministry of Culture & Tourism & Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade) through the EIF/ EU Programme and co-funded by the Republic of China Taiwan.

In 2016 a concept plan for a Crafts market Centre was acquired through public tender and in late 2017 construction on the New Crafts Market Centre commenced.

The centre took exactly one year to build. The total cost of construction is around $10 million. The building contractor is Ropiko Enterprises Ltd.

–GCU

Invest in ECD now than later: UNICEF

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

SOLOMON Islands at 33 percent has the highest childhood stunting rate in the Pacific with significant disparities between rural and urban areas and between rich and poor households.

According to UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), increasing access to improved water and sanitation also remains a key challenge in the country, particularly in the rural areas where only 30 percent of households have access to improved sanitation facilities.

Besides stunting, Solomon Islands at 54 percent accounts for the highest rate of open defecation in the Pacific.

As for early childhood education, the net enrolment is also poor, at 39 percent.

UNICEF expressed that local communities mainly run kindergartens but only about 50 percent of early childhood centres are formally registered in the country.

Moreover, as stated, while there are legal provisions, children still suffer from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect and these are experienced in homes, schools and communities.

“72 percent of parents reported having used violence or physical discipline against children in their households,” said UNICEF.

Also stressed by the United Nations organization is that investments in young children are necessary if Solomon Islands is to secure inclusive and sustainable national development.

UNICEF emphasized that ECD (Early Childhood Development) investments are one of the most cost-effective strategies for healthier and more productive populations with potential returns that outweigh costs.

“It is vital to invest earlier rather than later, because the development of brain architecture in the early years is the foundation of future learning behaviour and health,” said UNICEF.

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