Universal Periodic Review of Solomon Islands calls for an end to exploitation of girls in logging industry
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
THE Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Solomon Islands has raised serious concerns over the impact of the logging industry on women and girls, highlighting its links to teenage marriage, gender-based violence and exploitation.
The review points out that coercion of girls into so-called “log marriages” with foreign logging workers is contributing to the rise in cases of teenage pregnancies, domestic violence and the marginalisation of young women across the country.
According to findings presented in the review, one in five girls in Solomon Islands is married before the age of 18.
It also notes instances of informal and at times coerced employment of girls and young women by foreign workers, leading to commercial sexual exploitation.
The presence of foreign workers in logging areas has also been associated with increased alcohol consumption, which in turn has contributed to a rise in domestic violence cases within affected communities.
The review further highlights that protection services for victims of abuse remains limited.
Most shelters and support services operated by churches, with minimal government support are centralised in urban centres and as a result, many survivors of gender-based violence and exploitation have limited access to safe accommodation, counselling and medical assistance.
Beyond social impacts, the review underscores the environmental consequences of logging and mining operations, which disproportionately affect women and girls.
Environmental degradation has increased safety risks for women and girls, who are primarily responsible for collecting food and water for their families.
Flash floods caused or worsened by logging activities have reportedly endangered children and disrupted access to education in several parts of the country.
Additionally, children exposed to polluted rivers and coastal waters commonly used for bathing and leisure have suffered from skin irritations and other health issues believed to be linked to contamination from logging and mining activities.
In response to these concerns, several recommendations have been put forward to the Solomon Islands Government.
These include amending the Islanders’ Marriage Act 1945 to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 years, establishing complaint mechanisms at the provincial level for victims of gender-based violence, child sexual exploitation and human trafficking in the logging and mining sectors, and strengthening institutional capacity to support victims.
The review recommends increasing human, technical and financial resources to provide safe shelters, psychosocial support, counselling, medical care and rehabilitation services for survivors.
The UPR findings serve as a call for urgent and coordinated action to address exploitation and to strengthen protection measures for women and girls in communities affected by logging and mining operations.
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