BY NED GAGAHE
The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), in partnership with UNICEF and key partners, will mark this year’s International Children’s Day with a grand celebration tomorrow, Tuesday, November 11 in Honiara.
The event carries special significance as it also commemorates 30 years since Solomon Islands ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in April 1995 to uphold and protect the rights of every child in the country.
This year’s celebration will be held under the theme: “Listen to the Future – For every child, every right. Celebrating 30th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Solomon Islands.”
Festivities will begin with a colourful parade at 7:00 AM, assembling at the Honiara City Council (HCC) Car Park before a march to Multipurpose Hall, where the official programme will commence at 9:00 AM.
The parade will feature around 300 children representing eight schools in Honiara, alongside child-focused organisations, development partners, and community groups.
The celebration will bring together government officials, development partners, children’s organisations, and child representatives to reflect on the country’s progress in advancing children’s rights and to reaffirm national efforts to ensure that every child enjoys their full rights.
Key highlights of the day’s programme include:
- Reflections on 30 years of progress in child protection, education, health, and welfare;
- Recognition of achievements made through national policies and reforms;
- Children delivering messages about their dreams and rights; and
- A collective reaffirmation to continue building a nation that prioritises children’s well-being.
Among the key speakers at the event will be: Cathy Nori, Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs; Dr. Cedric Alependava, Permanent Secretary of MWYCFA; and Child representatives, who will speak on behalf of children across the Solomon Islands.
Since ratifying the CRC in 1995, Solomon Islands has made significant progress in promoting children’s rights through policy, legislation, and public awareness. Key milestones include:
The launch of the National Children’s Policy (2023–2028) and the Child and Family Welfare Act 2017;
- Improved access to education, especially at early childhood and primary levels;
- Strengthened child protection systems involving government, community, and faith-based actors; and
- Increased public recognition of children’s voices in national planning and decision-making.
Despite these achievements, the country continues to face challenges such as unequal access to services, data limitations, and the growing impacts of climate change and urbanisation of children’s welfare.
The 2025 celebration offers a timely opportunity for Solomon Islanders to honour three decades of progress while recommitting to the vision of a nation where every child can grow up healthy, safe, and empowered.
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