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Lau-Mbaelelea women thank MP Maenu

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By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

Women and children of Lau Mbaelelea Constituency in Malaita Province are grateful and  applaud their Member of Parliament, Ben Maenu for his assistance in improving the Takwa Maternity Ward.

On Sunday, September 23, a low-key handover ceremony of the Takwa Maternity Ward took place.

Ethel Philip, representing women and children expressed that this is a dream achievement for them.

“Hon Ben Maenu, today is a great day for us, the women and children here in Lau Mbaelelea. 

“From the hearts of the mothers of Lau Mbaelelea, on behalf of them, I thank you for the great dream that you have done for us, the mothers and children of Lau Mbaelelea,” she said. 

Philip stressed that in the past years, they have faced challenging situations, with one experience being the struggle to give birth in a dark maternity ward.

She said it was very sad that there were no proper lights in the maternity ward back then so when nurses visited them at night, they had to use their mobile phones to lighten up the dark maternity ward.

Philip mentioned that they also experienced living in a dark maternity ward accompanied by broken doors and windows.

She also acknowledges Ben Maenu for the new ambulance that was handed over to Takwa clinic last month, saying it will help and support them with transportation during labor and childbirth.

Lau Mbaelelea’s Constituency Development Officer (CDO), Moses Lugitau, emphasized that school, church, and health projects are priority projects implemented in the constituency plan for its people.

He said the constituency is focusing on projects that provide services for the people which will not only benefit people in the community but everyone in the constituency as a whole.

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Fuo’o supports churches in Central Kwara’ae constituency

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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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One infant dies every day

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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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Gender equality at the heart of PIF regional agenda

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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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Conference highlights gaps and opportunities in our health system

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

Day two of the National Healthy Setting Conference has revealed critical challenges within the Solomon Islands’ health system at the same time also sheds light on new opportunities that can strengthen health promotion across the country.

A series of presentations covered key areas including national program objectives, health indicators, vector-borne disease control, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), non-communicable disease interventions, nutrition, school meal programs, provincial health reports, and community-driven healthy setting initiatives.

Speakers highlighted pressing gaps in service delivery and program implementation, but also identified innovative approaches with potential to reshape the Healthy Settings strategy.

All findings will be consolidated into a single document to guide the development of a new national framework.

The Healthy Settings approach in Solomon Islands combines small-scale, community-led projects, such as village health committees, school-based curricula, and market hygiene initiatives with broader national activities that build capacity and share lessons.

The strategy aligns with the World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Healthy Islands vision and continues to be advanced through conferences, policy reviews, and partner support.

Overall, the system is recognized as a policy-backed framework that emphasizes local leadership, cross-sector partnerships, and the integration of health promotion into everyday community life.

Ongoing efforts are focused on scaling up successful village and school models across provinces, while monitoring and updating policies to strengthen nationwide implementation.

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SI achieves 90 percent skilled birth attendance rate

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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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Over 3,000 women gather for United Church seminar

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

More than 3,000 women across Solomon Islands and the Pacific converged at Saeragi Village, Western Province, for the 5th United Church Women Seminar, a weeklong event that brings together faith, fellowship, and cultural exchange.

The seminar attracted representatives from neighbouring countries including Australia, Papua New Guinea, Bougainville, and Fiji, further strengthening regional ties through the church.

Women engaged in a wide range of activities throughout the week such as church services, education and awareness sessions, cultural and traditional displays, as well as programs designed to build new friendships and networks.

Speaking at the opening, Bishop Ezekiel Pitakanji warmly welcomed the women, describing the gathering as a blessing for the host community.

“We give glory, honour to God for his guidance in the preparation and bringing you all safely here in Saeragi,” he said.

He acknowledged the challenges faced during preparations but expressed gratitude that the outcome had been overwhelmingly positive.

Bishop Pitakanji also reminded the women of the seminar’s theme, “Go and bear much fruit that will last,” emphasizing that the call is not just symbolic but a command to produce goodness that endures.

“The everchanging world has threatened the country’s growth and peace within communities as well as families. Mothers play an important role and responsibilities in nurturing families that are good,” he said.

The Saeragi gathering has been described by church leaders and participants as a milestone for the United Church Women’s Fellowship, which reaffirms their shared commitment to faith, family, and community development across Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific.

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‘PEOPLE WILL BE POORER’

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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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Guadalcanal Province becomes first to pilot school disaster and climate resilience program

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BY NED GAGAHE

Guadalcanal Province has become the first province in Solomon Islands to pilot a national initiative that aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience in schools.

This follows the official launch of the School-Based Disaster and Climate Risk Planning (SBRR/CCR) initiative at Mbalasuna Primary School, Guadalcanal Plains, on Monday, September 22, 2025.

The initiative is designed to enhance the resilience of schools and their surrounding communities by equipping education providers, school leaders, and students with necessary knowledge, tools, and systems to effectively prepare for and respond to disasters.

The initial rollout will cover 13 schools across 3 wards in Guadalcanal Province, serving as a model to create safer and more resilient learning environments throughout the Solomon Islands.

This program integrates disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into school planning and operations, aligning with both the national disaster management framework and climate resilience strategies.

“It is a privilege to stand here and launch this important initiative. Guadalcanal is proud to lead the way. These 13 schools will serve as models as we expand the program nationwide,” said Christopher Sakiri, Ministry of Education’s Deputy Secretary for Education Service.

The project is funded through generous support from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented with the technical expertise of UNICEF.

The program aims to improve children’s access to climate-smart infrastructure and essential social services, including education, health, water and sanitation, child protection, and social support systems.

The current rollout focuses on Output 1.4 of the education sector’s climate resilience plan—specifically, the integration of climate change into school planning and institutional capacity building.

“This is not just about responding to disasters. It’s about preparing our children and schools to thrive despite the challenges brought by climate change,” Sakiri said.

As part of the launch, MEHRD unveiled the revised School-Based Disaster and Climate Resilience Handbook, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the National Disaster Management Office, and UNICEF.

The handbook offers practical steps for schools to assess risks, form disaster committees, run preparedness drills, and integrate resilience into their daily operations.

With Guadalcanal leading the pilot, Deputy Secretary Sakiri confirms that the program will be scaled up and introduced to other provinces in due course.

“We are proud that Guadalcanal is setting the pace. What we learn here will shape how we implement this program across the country.

“Together, we are building a future where our children are safer, smarter, and more prepared to face the challenges ahead,” Sakiri said.

UNICEF Solomon Islands Climate and Environment Specialist, Daeun Han, applauded the partnership between UNICEF, MEHRD, Guadalcanal Provincial Government, and KOICA, which made the initiative possible.

“Thanks to our partnership with KOICA, UNICEF is proud to support the Solomon Islands Government in building climate resilience for children and their communities.

“Children must not only learn about climate risks but also gain the skills to act on them. Embedding resilience into education empowers both schools and students to respond confidently to the growing challenges of climate change,” Han said.

Minister of Education for Guadalcanal Province, John Botsi highlighted the significance of the initiative, saying it marks a major step forward in building a climate-smart and disaster-ready education system in the Solomon Islands.

“Guadalcanal is honored to be the first to roll out this program. These 13 schools will serve as models as we expand this work nationwide,” Botsi said.

The launching was attended by key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Guadalcanal Province, UNICEF, teachers from the schools involved, and community leaders.

Meanwhile, training for the 13 participating schools began immediately following the launch and will run over four days, led by education officers and facilitators.

Photos : UNICEF

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SI Rangers gain experience from Torres Strait

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands Rangers have travelled to Torres Strait, a strait between Australia and the Melanesian Island of New Guinea as part of an ongoing exchange that aims to enhance conservation knowledge, foster sharing of skills, cultures, and experiences.

In a close collaboration with the Torres Strait Regional Authority rangers in the Land and Sea Management unit at Waibene and Boigu Islands, the focus was on aspects like land and sea management, sea-grass monitoring, invasive species control, and the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).

The Solomon Islands Rangers team included; Albert Kwatelae, Technical Consultant, Edward Huitarau, Program Manager, Christina Raenaitoro – Finance Officer, Felix Naitoro -Vice President of the Board, and Eve Aihunu-Program Manager AVI-SI.

They spent two weeks on Waibene Island and had the opportunity to visit Goods Island, Friday Island, and Prince of Wales Island, followed by another week on Boigu Island.

The Solomon Islands Rangers gained valuable insights into the organisational structure, governance, and management practices of TSRA to better understand effective operational strategies.

They also learned from the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) about several areas related to project governance and integration management.

During the exchange trip to TSRA in August, the Project Manager for the Outer Islands Rangers, Ms Alice Manas, mentioned that although they come from a well-funded Rangers program, their goal was to experience and view things through different lens.

While the Solomon Islands Rangers may not be as fully resourced as TSRA in the Torres Strait, they are committed to make efforts to protect and preserve the community and bridge knowledge gaps by learning from the experiences and practices of the Torres Strait Regional Authority rangers.

The SI rangers gained new ideas, insights, and knowledge from the TSRA team, particularly during their visit to Boigu Island, which provided them with a profound sense of experience.

This exchange trip has opened up numerous avenues for growth, allowing rangers to enhance their skills and knowledge while acquiring new perspectives on their professional journeys.

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