BY CHRIS ALEX

The Pacific region is undertaking a comprehensive review of its regional disability framework to ensure better recognition and more inclusive opportunities for persons with disabilities, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said during the United Nations High-Level Meeting on women’s empowerment.

Speaking at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Manele revealed the disability framework review as part of the Pacific’s broader commitment to ensuring “no one is left behind” in regional development initiatives.

“The Pacific is reviewing its regional disability framework to ensure persons with disabilities are recognized and provided with more inclusive spaces,” Prime Minister Manele told delegates at the meeting commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.

The review comes as Pacific nations work under the “Blue Pacific” unity framework, which emphasizes coordinated regional approaches to social development and inclusion challenges.

The disability framework review is being conducted alongside the establishment of a regional gender equality monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning plan, demonstrating the Pacific’s integrated approach to addressing multiple forms of marginalization simultaneously.

Prime Minister Manele emphasized that this comprehensive review process aims to close data gaps, guide action, and ensure no one is left behind across Pacific communities.

The disability framework review aligns with the Pacific’s commitment to creating societies where all individuals can “live in peace, security, and dignity,” according to Manele’s address.

This initiative supports the region’s implementation of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration and alignment with UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

The review process reflects the Pacific region’s recognition that addressing disability inclusion requires coordinated regional action, similar to approaches being taken for gender equality, climate action, and economic empowerment.

The disability framework review comes as Pacific nations report progress across multiple social development areas.

Prime Minister Manele noted that across the region, gender equality is increasingly being reflected in national reports and budgets and that women’s leadership roles are expanding, suggesting a broader commitment to inclusive development practices.

The framework review also addresses emerging challenges, including new forms of discrimination and the need for “bold partnership” to address growing social inclusion issues across the Pacific.

As “one Blue Pacific continent” the nations in the Pacific region are working collectively to ensure comprehensive social inclusion policies.

The disability framework review represents part of this coordinated approach to addressing systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities.

Prime Minister Manele reaffirms the Pacific region’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism and emphasized that comprehensive inclusion will remain central to every decision we take in shaping our future.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Minister for Infrastructure Development and Member of Parliament for Central Kwara’ae constituency, Ricky Fuo’o early this month supported 13 communities and churches in his constituency.

His support includes building materials and musical instruments under the Church Grant Initiative allocation from the national government.

According to his statement on social media, the constituency office, through the Church Grant Initiative provided support to 13 churches across Ward 2 and Ward 29 of Central Kwara’ae Constituency.

The recipient communities and churches are:

• Buiano Church – Generator
• Kilusakwaol SSEC Church – Building materials
• Daudau/Maoro CRC Church – Building Materials
• Fausadeo Church – building materials
• Aligegeo House of Glory Church – Musical Instruments
• Fiu Church – Generator
• Dae Church – Building materials
• Okwala SSEC Church – Building Materials
• Sita Church – Building Materials
• Mt Zion Church – Building Materials
• Namobaula Church – Building Materials
• Dairana Church – Musical Instruments
• Kwalo Church – Building Materials

As mentioned in the statement, Constituency Project Officer (CPO), Sam Ilimanu delivered the church projects.

Communities and churches which benefited from the project expressed gratitude to the constituency office under the leadership of Hon Fuo’o for the timely support.

Speaking on behalf of Dairana community, Selwyn Abana thanked Hon Fuo’o and the Constituency Office, noting that the assistance came at an important time to support their church and community.

The Constituency Office reaffirms its commitment to continue supporting churches under the Church Grant program in the future.

MP Fuo’o, through his constituency office, has also provided similar support to other communities and churches in the constituency under the Church Grant Initiative this year.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Heartbreaking statistics reveal that on average, one infant dies every day, raising urgent concerns about maternal and child health services in Solomon Islands.

Chief Medical Statistician, Rebecca Manelase, presented the figures during the second day of the National Healthy Setting Conference in Gizo, highlighting the pressing health challenges facing the country.

According to Manelase, 15,831 births were recorded in 2024 alone.  

This figure includes both live births and stillbirths.

She explained that while 90 percent of births occurred in health facilities, 10 percent of mothers still delivered their babies in villages, often without skilled medical assistance.

Manelase said an average of one stillbirth occurs every day, adding to the already high infant mortality rate.

She further reported that two infants die each week due to complications that are often preventable.

Equally alarming is the country’s low immunisation coverage.

Only 7.1 percent of children in Solomon Islands received the required vaccinations in 2024—far below the internationally recommended standard of 80 percent.

“This low level of immunisation is a serious concern, as it leaves children highly vulnerable to preventable diseases,” Manelase said.

She further stated that maternal health is also under pressure.

Manelase reported that 17 mothers died in 2024 due to childbirth complications, a rise compared to 14 maternal deaths in 2023.

The statistics presented paint a worrying picture for the health system.

The National Healthy Setting Conference continues this week, bringing together government officials, development partners, and community leaders to discuss solutions that aim to improve the country’s health outcomes.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, also the current chair of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF), Jeremiah Manele, assures PIF’s collective commitment to tackle and address gender equality in the Pacific region.

He gave the assurance whilst speaking on behalf of PIF to mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action at the UN General Assembly in New York this week.

The Prime Minister highlighted PIF’s commitment to gender equality, while he informed the assembly that PIF also celebrated its leadership legacy.

He said a year before the Beijing Platform for Action, the Pacific region launched the Pacific Platform for Action, boldly placing gender equality at the heart of Pacific region’s agenda.

While challenges remain, Manele said that the resilience of Pacific women and girls is driving real progress.

“More girls are completing school, women are accessing economic opportunities, and health systems are being improved.

“Reproductive health, including human papillomavirus vaccination and cervical cancer screening, is progressing.

“Across the region, gender equality is increasingly being reflected in national reports and budgets. Women’s leadership role across sectors is increasing,” he said.

However, the PIF Chair stressed that more needs to be done to elevate women in politics and decision-making roles.

“As one Blue Pacific, we are laying the foundation for the establishment of a regional gender equality monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning plan to close data gaps, guide action, and ensure no one is left behind. Gender equality and climate action are interlinked.

“Across the Pacific, gender roles in various sectors and policies are not just about shaping change, but driving change,” he emphasized.

Moreover, Manele shared that new forms of violence, including tech-facilitated abuse, is already stretching PIF’s capacity to respond meaningfully. Stressing bold partnership is needed to address this growing issue.

He also stated the Pacific is reviewing its regional disability framework to ensure persons with disabilities are recognized and provided with more inclusive spaces.

“As one Blue Pacific continent, we stand united to reaffirm our promise that women and girls in our region can live in peace, security, and dignity.

“Women’s role in peace and security is critical to be aligned with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, underpinned by the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration,” Manele said.

The chair reaffirms the Pacific region’s commitment to multilateralism, the Beijing Plan of Action, as they will continue to place gender equality central to every decision they take in shaping our future.

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BY CHRIS ALEX

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has said that 9 out of 10 births in Solomon Islands are now attended by skilled health professionals.

He made the statement when delivering his speech at the UN High-Level Meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, held as part of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly.

The meeting was themed “Recommitting to, resourcing and accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”

“I am pleased to announce that 9 out of 10 births in Solomon Islands are attended to by skilled professionals,” said Manele.

The Solomon Islands government has rolled out extensive reproductive health programs targeting multiple demographics and health concerns across the island nation.

The country has launched comprehensive Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination programs specifically for girls to prevent cervical cancer, while simultaneously expanding cervical cancer screening services.

These initiatives are part of a broader Pacific regional approach to women’s health advancement.

In support of menstrual health and education, the government has distributed reusable menstrual pads to schoolgirls through its national health program.

The country has also eliminated import duties and goods taxes on menstrual sanitary products to improve accessibility.

Beyond direct medical interventions, Solomon Islands National University now offers second-chance educational programs designed for women who left formal education due to pregnancy.

This initiative ensures reproductive health challenges do not permanently impact women’s educational and career prospects.

“My government is committed to deliver access to quality education for all Solomon Islanders,” Manele said during his address.

Prime Minister Manele emphasized that reproductive health improvements, including HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening programs, are progressing across the broader Pacific region through coordinated efforts.

The achievements align with Pacific nations’ work towards establishing a regional gender equality monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning plan to address data gaps and ensure comprehensive women’s health support throughout the region.

These reproductive health advances operate within Solomon Islands’ comprehensive legal framework for women’s protection, including the Family Protection Act 2014, Penal Code Amendments 2016, Child and Family Welfare Act 2017, and the national policy to eliminate violence against women and girls covering 2021 to 2027.

The Prime Minister stated that these achievements demonstrate the Pacific region’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism while placing gender equality central to every decision we take in shaping our future.

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Transparency Solomon Islands calls for withdrawal of mineral resources bill 2025

BY LORETTA B MANELE

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) is calling on both government and parliament to withdraw the Mineral Resources Bill 2025.

TSI says this bill will not strengthen mining laws in the country.

Instead, the Bill is “riddled with significant gaps that undermines communities be they tribal land-owning groups or otherwise, environmental protection and the integrity of the sector”, TSI statement yesterday said.

“The provisions of this Bill do not ensure mineral development contributes to national development nor does it safeguard tribal community rights, including their benefits and their environment.

“It is of grave concern that very little to no attention at all has been given to guaranteeing Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for customary landowners.

“It lacks transparency and accountability provisions, and furthermore provides for limited to no avenues for tribal communities and communities to participate meaningfully in decisions that directly affect them. There are far too many gaps in the Bill. Very little to no respect at all is paid to Solomon Islands Land Tenure Systems, and more concerning is the fact that FPIC is not explicitly recognised (clauses.76-78).

“Constructive Consent provision in Clause 200(2)) seems to be an attempt to do away with land acquisition provision that are provided for in our current law and in Lands and Titles Act. This clause alone demands that this Bill be withdrawn.

“Clause 200(2) Constructive Consent allows for silence to be treated as consent, an injustice that cannot be entertained in any law of Solomon Islands as a democratic country.

“Clause 200(2) cannot be allowed to be or remain as a part of this proposed bill.  If it does one of its major implications is that it may and will result in the State Capture of Solomon Islanders peoples’ customary resources,” TSI statement said.

TSI said the Bill removes the power and authority from the people who own the resources and properties, exposing them to be vulnerable to manipulation from ‘government and unscrupulous operators’.

“With regard to the Mineral Resources Bill 2025 and any other proposed Bills, it is important that resource owners and citizens pay particular attention to provisions that might result in your customary properties under the control of government through state capture.

“Clause 200 (2) predisposes our land, resources open to be dominated by private power which will have detrimental and devastating negative impact on the majority of Solomon Islands rural people’s way of living, and great loss of their community affluence, something that has looked after them in the absence of government. Clause 200 stops tribal communities or landowning communities from vetoing projects when it should be mandatory in any law that they should be given the opportunity to do so.

“Clause 200 leaves Solomon Islands citizens’ customary properties and resources wide open to abuse especially when it is not clear as to what type of tenement we are referring to. Is it Mining Lease Area Tenement, Prospecting Tenement, Reconnaissance tenement etc. All these terminologies have been lumped under Mineral Tenements unlike current law.

“Transparency Solomon Islands in this respect is concerned that when it comes to Building Materials Permit, people will not receive payment for their gravel, sand, stone nor Environmental Impact Assessment, nor monitoring or identification of owners.

“Mining License approval decisive authority remains with the Minister and the Minerals Board. More worrying still is the fact that in this Bill Community Development Agreements (CDA) are only required for significant projects which leave gravel, stone and sand etc. under the Building Material to be not a significant mining project.

“It is recommended that Free Prior and Informed Consent be explicitly enshrined in this law consistent with United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). It is equally important to also guarantee landowners the right to withhold consent. TSI recommend for the immediate removal of Clause 200(2) in this our first article and will be releasing our examination of other clauses in subsequent articles,” TSI said.

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