BY ELLISON VAHI

“DOMESTIC violence is a burden on numerous sectors of the social system and quietly, yet dramatically, affects the development of a nation batterers cost nations fortunes in terms of law enforcement, health care, lost labour and general progress in development. These costs do not only affect the present generation; what begins as an assault by one person on another, reverberates through the family and the community into the future.”

This was stated by DFAT rep Ms Jemma Malcom during her speech during the SAFENET trainers closing at the IBS compound.

In her speech she stated that with public knowledge and information, Solomon Islands is one of the highest rates of violence against women.

She said that as Domestic violence is a global issue reaching across national boundaries as well as socio-economic, cultural, racial and class distinctions, studies in 2009 has provided the evidence of 64 percent of women between the ages of 15-49 years have experience both sexual and physical violence by their intimate partners.

“This statistic is quite alarming,” Malcom said.

She also said that, that is why her ministry is responsible under the Family Protection Act, that SAFENET members must be equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge to implement the legislation in an informed and gender-aware approach.

“We have a responsibility as duty bearers to provide the basic essential services to our own women and girls, men and boys who experience violence, and I am urging you to take your responsibility seriously,” she said.

In assurance that the Government in its policy statement is clear on eliminating violence against women and girls, Malcom adds that her ministry has action this call though its commitment made in the revised policy on eliminating violence against women and girls.

Malcom adds that their responsibility in implementing the Family Protection Act is ongoing as well their collaboration with key government agencies, stakeholders and development of the national counselling framework, and for primary prevention initiatives, to change the attitudes towards violence against women to be consistent and sustainable.

She also said that as with the family protection Act, and the EVAW policy and advocacy and awareness, they consider the need for the referral network or SAFENET as essential and anticipate that demand for it in the provinces will soon call for them to expand.

She adds, but with the support of the UN women Essential services Packages for Women and Girls, they have seen through the full range of essential services that every victim of violence have prompt access to; sexual and reproductive health services, support to ensure mental and physical health, wellbeing and safety as well access to justice and police services.

“It is my hope that the members of SAFENET being trained under the FWCC for 2 weeks will further add value to their work as the frontline services provides in ensuring that victims of violence will have; rapid access to a health clinic that can and will administer emergency medical care and medical practitioner who can conduct a forensic examination within 72 hours of the attack, and as well have access to case management support, counselling and that they are able to counsel within their cultural and religious requirement.”

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO

MEMBERS of the Western Provincial Assembly (MPAs) will meet today in Gizo to vote for a new Premier.

The vote is expected to kick off at 10am.

Western provincial clerk to the assembly, Mr Kevin Paia told Island Sun Gizo yesterday that only one candidate has been nominated by the MPAs.

He is David Gina, the MPA for ward 15 Munda.

He said the election will be held at the Western Provincial government conference room this afternoon.

“If we receive more than one nomination, we will have to do a round robin vote, but if only one candidate is nominated, then we will convene to declare the new Premier of Western province.

“We will announce the provincial premier straight after the counting,” said Paia.

Meanwhile, Police have tightened up security for the election today.

By Ezekiel Talatau

SOLOMON Islands now lives in a digital world where everyone depends on faster and reliable communication, transportation and medication.

Over the years, most people in Solomon Islands are likely to travel by motor boats, ships and planes, use digital phones for communication and chemically processed drugs for medical treatments.

A Ms Marence Amiki yesterday, said that ‘before technology was introduce in Solomon Islands, people in the past used canoes to travel, written letters to communicate and herbs medicine to treat sick people. Nowadays, it’s different’.

“Increased technology is changing our way of living, to be convenient, easy and faster for our people especially in transportation, communication and medication.

“Technologies also creates opportunities in many ways such as Job opportunity and worldwide communication network.

“The world is turning into more advance technology and we must know the good and bad things about it.

Many studies has also revealed that technologies can increase the way how we think and improve human perspective on how we live around the globe and knowing how things around the world are connected.

Mr Trevor Hiro, a foundation Science Student from University of South Pacific (USP) believes that technology creates a world to be connected through many ways.

“For instance, internet help us to communicate and understand issues around the globe.

“Technology also create a system in which we people live in it, adopt to it and changes our way of thinking. Since Solomon Islands people living with different cultures and customs, I believe that the western world technologies will soon changes the way we think.”

“There is a risk that technology will change our culture and identity. For instance, many small children in the past usually learn from their parents about their cultures, customs and their identity. Today, most children spend most of their time on phones and internet. This creates a problem within our society.

“Further research is needed to create a good knowledge on how we can link technologies and our cultures together.”