Provincial leaders vow to tackle domestic violence through policy reforms and community programmes
BY TONY IROGA
Provincial leaders from across the country have committed to strengthening efforts to address domestic and gender-based violence through a new partnership with the Family Support Centre (FSC).
The commitment was made following a four-day training workshop in Honiara last week, which brought together senior officials and representatives from Temotu, Central Islands, Western and Rennell and Bellona provinces, along with participants from other provinces.
A key outcome of the workshop was a pledge by provincial leaders to incorporate gender-sensitisation and violence prevention initiatives into their provincial planning and budgeting processes.
The partnership also aims to revive rural crisis support services that were forced to close in 2023 due to funding constraints.
Speaking during a media conference Friday last week, FSC Centre Manager Lorio Sisiolo said stronger collaboration with provincial governments is essential to ensuring support services remain available to survivors of violence in rural communities.
“We need deep, structural collaboration with provincial governments to maintain support committees,” Ms Sisiolo said.
She explained that the committees play a critical role in providing free counselling, legal referrals and other support services to survivors in communities where assistance is often limited.
The FSC currently provides counselling, temporary shelter, legal referrals and medical support to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.
However, maintaining services in remote provinces has been a challenge due to limited funding and resources.
Temotu Premier Stanley Tehiahua described the workshop as an important learning experience that broadened his understanding of the impacts of gender-based violence.
“We are honoured and privileged to participate alongside various provinces and stakeholders committed to addressing gender-based violence and domestic violence in our country,” he said.
Premier Tehiahua said discussions and presentations during the workshop highlighted the scale and seriousness of the issue across the country.
“One of my major takeaways from this workshop is the deep understanding of the realities, causes, impacts and widespread nature of gender-based violence within our societies and communities,” he said.
He said gender-based violence should not be viewed solely as a family matter but as a significant social, health, economic and development challenge affecting the nation.
“It is a serious social, human rights, health, economic and development issue affecting women, children, men, families, communities and the nation as a whole,” he said.
The Premier added that the workshop provided valuable information on the different forms of abuse, including emotional, verbal, sexual and economic violence, and the long-term effects they have on families and communities.
He also said the training strengthened participants’ understanding of the legal protections and frameworks available to support survivors of violence.
“Importantly, I have learned that ending violence requires collective responses,” Premier Tehiahua said.
He thanked the Family Support Centre for organising the workshop and bringing together provincial leaders and stakeholders to discuss practical solutions.
With several provinces now committing to include gender awareness and violence prevention measures in their development agendas, organisers hope support services in rural areas can be strengthened and eventually restored where they have ceased operations.
The workshop was attended by Provincial Premiers from Temotu, Central Islands, Rennell and Bellona along with Deputy Premier from Makira.
It was also attended by Provincial Secretaries from Choiseul, Western, Central Islands, Temotu provinces and Deputy Provincial Secretaries from Makira and Malaita, Provincial Women Desk officers, national and provincial planning officers.
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
Editor: [email protected]
