BY TONY IROGA

The Solomon Islands senior women’s football team has received a timely boost in sportswear as they gear up for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup OFC qualifiers.

The handover took place at the Solomon Islands National Stadium over the weekend, following a friendly test match between the national squad and the SIFF legends.

The donation was presented by Ms Asano Yoko of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“I am so joyful to be able to support the team with these gifts. We wish them the best of luck in their upcoming campaign,” Ms Yoko said during the brief ceremony.

Receiving the assistance on behalf of the team, Captain Ms Ileen Pegi expressed her gratitude. She was joined by Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) President Mr Donald Marahare, who thanked Ms Yoko for her generous contribution to the women’s program.

“This support comes at a crucial time as our team intensifies preparations.

“We are very thankful to Ms Yoko and JICA for their continued friendship and support of football development in the Solomon Islands,” President Marahare said.

The National Women’s Team is currently in camp, fine-tuning their preparation ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The Solomon Islands will open their campaign against American Samoa on February 27 at 5:00 pm at the National Stadium.

Photo: SIFF Media

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has proudly announced that Associate Professor Eric Katovai, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), has been formally inducted as a Fellow of the Pacific Academy of Sciences (PAS).

The induction took place during the 2026 PAS Congress held in Apia, Samoa, from February 16–18 2026, according to a statement released on the university’s Facebook page last week.

The fellowship recognises Professor Katovai’s significant and sustained contributions to research, education and scientific leadership across the Pacific region. His extensive work in forest ecology, biodiversity conservation and regional science leadership has played a key role in strengthening research capacity and environmental stewardship in Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific.

Beyond his leadership at SINU, Associate Professor Katovai is actively involved in several regional research and capacity-building initiatives. These include the Livelihoods in Forest Ecosystems Recovery (LIFER) programme, where he collaborates with local and international partners, as well as the Women’s Leadership in STEM research initiative across four Pacific Island universities.

He also serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Queensland University of Technology, where he co-supervises two PhD students under the LIFER project. In addition, he co-supervises two PhD candidates at the University of the South Pacific and is set to begin supervising Master’s by Research students at SINU this year, further supporting the university’s expansion of higher degree research training.

Following his induction as a Fellow of PAS, Associate Professor Katovai expressed deep humility and dedicated the honour to those who have supported his academic journey. He said he hopes the recognition will inspire young Pacific scientists and ultimately benefit the people of the region.

Solomon Islands’ presence at the PAS Congress was further highlighted by presentations from other SINU researchers.

Dr Lionel Kakai, Head of the School of Science, delivered a paper titled Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Solomon Islands, focusing on the engineering traditions of artificial islands. His presentation underscored the cultural and enduring importance of indigenous engineering and ecological knowledge.

Mrs Dawnie Katovai, who is nearing completion of her PhD under the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) programme, presented on conservation efforts in Fiji and Solomon Islands. Her presentation emphasised the critical role of traditional knowledge in developing community-based conservation and sustainable resource management.

Photo: SINU

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

TABAKA Technical Institution has recorded its highest student intake since its establishment, reflecting a growing demand for technical and vocational education in the province.

School principal Joash Lawrence confirmed that total enrolment has reached 497 students this year, a milestone for the institution.

Of the total number, 214 students are new intakes for 2026 while 283 are continuing students.

“At the moment we have 125 female students and 158 male students. Our total number of students should reach 500 if all the students arrived at the school,” Lawrence said.

He said enrolment has steadily increased over the past few years, rising from 184 new intakes in 2024 to 214 in 2025, and contributing to the current record figure.

Lawrence said the growing number of students seeking further education at the school highlights the need for additional space and improved infrastructure.

He explained that expanding facilities requires significant financial resources, something the school continues to struggle with.

Lawrence said the institution is already feeling pressure due to limited classroom and accommodation space, which restricts the number of students that can be accepted each year.

He said more support is needed to enable the school to create additional learning spaces and cater for students eager to pursue technical training in Gizo and surrounding communities.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

STAFF and students of Tabaka Technical Institute celebrated the reopening of the boys’ dormitory over the weekend, marking a significant step in improving student welfare and learning conditions.

The presence of board members and representatives from the United Church at the reopening ceremony, highlighted the importance of partnerships in strengthening technical and vocational education.

Speaking at the event, school principal Mr. Joash Lawrence said the renovation of the dormitory represents more than just improved walls, roofs and amenities.

“It symbolizes our renewed commitment to nurturing the whole student and equipping them with the skills they need to contribute meaningfully to our communities and nation.

“A proper dormitory is not just a place to sleep; it is a foundation for focused learning, good health, discipline and personal growth,” he said.

Lawrence said the infrastructure improvement forms part of the school management’s response to the urgent need to provide students with a better, safer and more conducive home environment.

He said the success of the project reflects careful planning and the support of various stakeholders.

“Through determination, careful planning, and support from various stakeholders, we have now successfully renovated this facility to modern standards.

“We thank God for his provision, and we thank all who have contributed—directly or indirectly—to making this possible,” Lawrence said.

He said the building was originally constructed in the 1990s and served as a carpentry classroom and workshop when the United Church first established and operated the institute as a centre for cohort training of community congregational youth.

“As the school has grown and evolved over the decades, expanding its programmes, student numbers and status, this building remained largely unchanged and unrenovated for many years,” Lawrence said.

He said the reopening of the dormitory is a blessing for the boys who will call it home, encouraging them to study diligently, respect one another and grow into responsible citizens.

Lawrence acknowledged officials and guests who attended the program, noting that their presence reaffirmed strong partnerships and a shared commitment to providing quality technical and vocational education for young people in Solomon Islands.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

The United States is funding the “Strengthening Shelter and Protection Services for Victims of Trafficking in Solomon Islands” project worth USD 2.5m through the US Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Speaking at the launch of the project at Heritage Park Hotel last Friday, Daniel O’Hara, Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge’ d’Affaires from the US Embassy in Solomon Islands, spoke about the importance of the project and how it will be rolled out.

He said the project, funded by US taxpayers, through the IOM (International Organisation for Migration), office in Solomon Islands will help address the first priority recommendation for Solomon Islands in last year’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report.

O’Hara said this report is the United States global assessment of government anti-trafficking efforts, conducted annually for all countries, including the United States.

He said the first recommendation for Solomon Islands in the 2025 report urges an increase in protection services, including shelter for all trafficking victims and survivors.

O’Hara said addressing this priority recommendation is important to help Solomon Islands become more self-resilient when it comes to addressing crimes that pose serious safety and security risks to its citizens.

“Today, we officially launch a targeted application of U.S. foreign assistance that will support a project which ties the analysis of the annual report with realities on the ground to spur tangible progress to combat human trafficking linked to things like illegal business activities and criminal organizations, and most importantly, increases Solomon Islands’ self-reliance and ability to tackle those challenges ultimately with its own resources,” he said.

O’Hara said through the project, Solomon Islands will be provided with tools to protect its citizens and workers of other nationalities from devastating human costs that often accompany transnational criminal activities and illegal or under-regulated business activities in fishing, logging, and mining, among other sectors.

He said IOM will take a survivor-centered approach to strengthen Solomon Islands’ capacity to provide comprehensive care.

“By linking government authorities and civil society organizations, this project creates a foundation for lasting improvements in victim protection that increase Solomon Islands’ capacity to address the needs of all its citizens.

“Every survivor, regardless of sex, age, or type of trafficking experience, will be able to access the safe shelter and protection services they need,” said O’Hara.

He commended IOM for taking the lead in this work to ensure that every trafficking survivor in Solomon Islands can access specialised support essential to their own personal recovery.

O’Hara also commended the national government for taking steps to increase its own capacity to address the ills of human trafficking.

“…. while continuing to seek ways to increase its efforts to prevent the transnational criminal organizations and illegal business activities that not only increase human trafficking risks, but more broadly threaten the safety and prosperity of the citizens of Solomon Islands, the United States, and others across the region,” he said.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

Cathy Nori, Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) highlighted 3 key components of the “Strengthening Shelter and Protection Services for Victims of Trafficking in Solomon Islands” project.

The project was recently launched, just last Friday at the Heritage Park Hotel and is funded by the US through the United States Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, and is worth USD 2.5m.

In initial remarks, Nori acknowledged all stakeholders involved in the project.

“I want to begin by taking a moment to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the UN Migration Office, IOM, HOPE Trust, and the U.S. Embassy, and all our development partners, government ministries, civil society, and faith-based organizations, for your relentless dedication and also tireless work in this crucial area.

“Also, a heartfelt thank you also goes to the frontline shelter providers and case workers.

“I would also like to express our gratitude to the U.S. Department of State to monitor and combat trafficking in persons for their vital financial support,” she said.

Nori highlighted three key components of the project.

The first key component is “enhancing and establishing protective shelter facilities”, which she said as human beings, we know that survivors need safe spaces.

She said in these safe spaces, confidentiality is crucial in the sense that survivors of trafficking need to feel confident in knowing that where they are is safe for them.

She said shelters must also meet basic standards of care and dignity.

Nori said under “strengthening capacity of shelter providers” management must be professional and survivor-centred.

She said they will also need to train the staff who manage these shelters and provide them with tools and provide them with support in their coordination.

“And there must be strong referral systems in place. These are essential,” said Nori.

The third component talked about is “supporting sustainable integration”.

“Not just emergency care, but they will need long-term support. And so, reintegration includes livelihoods, psychosocial support, family tracing where appropriate, community acceptance, and also programs to empower them economically,” she said.

Nori also said that prevention of trafficking is also important and critical so that survivors do not go through the same experiences again.

“Let us remember that protection does not end at rescue. It continues through recovery, empowerment, and reintegration,” she said.

On partnership and coordination, Nori said this project exemplifies the power of collaboration among government, international partners, and civil society.

“The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children, and Family Affairs is taking the lead in coordinating our protection services. Addressing trafficking is a collective responsibility requiring a holistic approach that involves every segment of our society,” she said.

Nori said we cannot address trafficking alone as it demands coordination, trust and shared responsibility.

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BY LORETTA B MANELE

There are a number of challenges in Solomon Islands when it comes to dealing with victims of trafficking.

Nathalie Hanley, Programme Manager of IOM (International Organisation for Migration), Office in Solomon Islands spoke about this at the launch of the “Strengthening Shelter and Protection Services for Victims of Trafficking in Solomon Islands” Project at Heritage Park Hotel on Friday, February 20.

She said the crime of trafficking persons is a grave violation of human rights and often has serious and far-reaching consequences for those who are victimized.

“That harm is compounded when victims go unidentified or are unable to access essential protection services and longer-term support for their recovery and reintegration,” said Hanley.

Outlining the challenges in dealing with victims of trafficking in the country, she said in Solomon Islands, connecting identified victims of trafficking to specialized shelter and protection services is often challenging, partly due to the high demand for shelter services in-country.

Second to this, is that many victims of trafficking, most often women and girls are identified in remote and isolated communities.

“This exacerbates challenges in connecting victims to shelter and assisted services, which are predominantly located in Honiara or provincial capitals,” said Hanley.

She also said in cases where victims are able to receive assistance in temporary accommodation support, the challenge of constraints in funding invariably precludes them from receiving holistic social, psychosocial, and economic reintegration in a way that addresses pre-existing vulnerability factors.

Hanely said survivors deserve dignity, safety, and the chance to rebuild their lives, and this is what this project is for.

“Today’s launch signals a shared commitment to ensuring that every survivor who reaches out for help finds a system that is ready to respond,” she said.

Hanley said the project will help to strengthen that system in a number of ways, and it will be through the following channels.

– It will support the enhancement and establishment of shelter facilities that can ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of survivors, not only in Honiara, but across all provinces

– It will further strengthen the capacity of shelter providers, case managers, and other support actors to provide victim-centred and trauma-informed protection services to survivors of human trafficking

– It will enable victims of trafficking to access sustainable reintegration support through the establishment of a dedicated direct assistance fund

The Programme Manager for IOM, in Solomon Islands said more importantly, work in this project will be grounded in partnership where government ministries, provincial authorities, civil society counterparts, faith-based organisations, and frontline officers all have a role to play.

She said the project does not exist in a vacuum and it builds on the foundations that have been laid through continued commitment and tireless work of shelter providers, case managers, social workers, counsellors, healthcare professionals, and other safety net stakeholders.

Hanley said the project acknowledges this and aims to support and strengthen their efforts.

She said as parallel programme initiatives in Solomon Islands are making strides to strengthen the country’s counter-trafficking legislation, to build the capacity of law enforcement to identify and refer victims, and to continue to support community outreach, engagement, and awareness-raising, it is expected that more victims will be identified and will be in need of support.

Hanley said as they move forward to implement the project, they will aim to keep those survivors at the centre of every decision and intervention.

Along that, they will also aim to be guided by the survivors’ experiences, to learn from their resilience and to ensure that the services extended to them truly meet their needs.

Hanley also took the opportunity, to acknowledge the US Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons which is funding the project.

“I would also particularly like to thank and acknowledge our donor, the US Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, whose generous financial support is enabling us to implement this project and to sustainably strengthen protection and shelter services for all victims of trafficking identified in Solomon Islands, regardless of sex, age, or nationality.

“We are immensely grateful for the US’s funding support, as well as for the commitment and partnership that the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children, and Family Affairs and Health Trust, and all of you in the room today,” she said.

Hanley said they look forward to the work ahead and to the positive changes the project will bring to survivors of trafficking, to their communities and to the country as a whole.

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BY ALICE T CAMPBELL

The Lauru (Choiseul Province) community in Honiara held a Thanksgiving service at Wesley United Church yesterday, marking preparations for the 35th anniversary of the province’s Second Appointed Day.

The service, led by church Chairman Mr Sheperd Lapoe and the youth choir, celebrated the ongoing journey of Choiseul Province since its establishment as a separate province from Western Province in 1992.

Speaking at the event, Reverend Kedrick Kasa said thanksgiving is not just an annual event, but a spiritual attitude that every Christian carries in their life.

“Gratitude connects people together and strengthens remembrance within our communities and province,” he said.

The theme for the service was “The Act of Gratitude: Celebrating Unity, Honouring Ourselves, and Embracing Our Future.”

Mr Lapoe extended special thanks to Reverend Kasa, church elders, Choiseul community members, and the congregation for their attendance and support. Their presence contributed to the success of the service and reflected the strong unity within the community.

The service concluded with the singing of the Choiseul Provincial Anthem by Mr Lapoe.

The Thanksgiving service also served as a lead-in to key activities planned this week to coincide with the Second Appointed Day, including cultural performances, community gatherings, and other celebratory events scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday at Point Cruz.

The Lauru Second Appointed Day, celebrated annually on February 25, commemorates the province’s local government establishment and independence from Western Province, with the 34th anniversary in 2025 featuring a three-day celebration in Honiara.

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