BY TONY IROGA
Central Province Premier Kenneth Sagupari has acknowledged that the province currently lacks specific policies to address gender-based violence (GBV), describing the gap as a major governance challenge that must be addressed.
Speaking following a four-day gender-based violence workshop in Honiara last week, Premier Sagupari said the provincial government is now committed to developing policies and frameworks aimed at protecting women and girls.
“Honestly speaking, we don’t have policies in place in the government for gender-based violence apart from what we currently have with the women’s programme and related activities,” Premier Sagupari said.
He said the workshop had provided valuable knowledge and practical guidance that provincial leaders could use to strengthen support systems for women and girls in Central Province.
“After this workshop, we have gained a lot of knowledge that we can take back and use to put proper policies and frameworks in place and improve the way we work with women in our province,” he said.
Premier Sagupari said one of the key lessons from the workshop was a deeper understanding of the causes of gender-based violence and the inequalities that continue to affect women.
“One of the main things that I have learned is the root causes of gender-based violence and the unequal treatment between men and women,” he said.
The Premier noted that discussions during the workshop highlighted the role of power imbalances and long-standing social structures in contributing to violence.
“We learned that gender-based violence is closely linked to power and control. It is part of a patriarchal system that has been passed down from generation to generation,” he said.
Premier Sagupari said gender inequality continues to affect communities across the country and cuts across culture, tradition and religion.
“Gender issues impact humanity and influence many aspects of society. They affect our culture, traditions and even our beliefs,” he said.
The workshop brought together provincial leaders and stakeholders to examine the social and cultural drivers of gender-based violence and discuss strategies for prevention and response.
Premier Sagupari also acknowledged the significant role women play in society and called for greater recognition of their contributions.
“Our women deserve respect for the roles they play in society. In many cases, women carry more responsibilities than men, yet they often receive fewer opportunities and privileges,” he said.
He described this imbalance as unfair and said it remains one of the challenges that communities must address.
Despite the difficulties involved in changing long-established attitudes and practices, Premier Sagupari expressed confidence that progress can be achieved through collective action.
“It is a challenge for us today, but nothing is impossible. We can work together to address it,” he said.
The Premier revealed that the provincial government plans to begin drafting policy directives and frameworks on gender-based violence upon returning to the province.
He said the proposed measures would be designed to reach communities throughout Central Province and strengthen support for women and girls at all levels of local governance.
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