BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE visiting UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Violence against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid says huge numbers of children are victims of different forms of violence.

M’jid echoed the above sentiment during a press conference with the local media personals last week.

“The key challenges and the key progress made in terms of eliminating violence against children were shared by all key stakeholders.

“During my visit I discovered that huge number of children are victims of various forms of violence it is almost around 37 percent of children were affected, it is huge and cannot be justified by the lack of services and cannot be acceptable in the cultural norms,” she said.

M’jid adds the problem here is Solomon Islands is facing many challenges, at the same time you have a problem to access basic services that affecting a lot of people including children.

“You have the problem with the climate crisis and natural disaster that is impacting everyone and you have the problem of the budget constraints and debts,” she said.

Minister for Women Youth Children and Family Affairs Freda T. Rangirei said her ministry will ensure all line ministries that connected with the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs will need to put more efforts to ensure that children of Solomon Islands are protected.

Foreign affairs ministry says it is not aware of this

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MINISTRY of Foreign Affairs and External Trade office says they are not aware of the Nauru recruitment of workers arrangement.

That is according to the Permanent Secretary for MFAET Collin Beck in a press conference held on Friday 28^th April.

“We are not aware of this Nauru recruitment of workers arrangement but as a government we are very much interested to explore all labour mobility opportunities not only in Nauru but basically at parts of other countries of the Pacific including countries in the Northern Pacific,” Beck said.

He said the government through MFAET have actually made known their interest noting that there is a huge work ready pool.

“We are basically ready to enter into any other opportunities that countries including Nauru have to offer.

“So certainly we were not involve in that but if we involve inside   we would have provide candidates for Nauru to take a look at but this is something that we can keep looking at,” Beck said.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Dr Najat Maalla M’jid says strengthening child safety and child protection during the upcoming Pacific Games in November 2023 has been highlighted during her visit this week.

M’jid echoed this yesterday during a press conference with the local media personals.

“The Pacific Games is strong moment to strengthen the child safety net because we know very well World Wide when you have a huge arrival of migrant workers or player of many persons outside the risk of violence against children mainly sexual exploitation, abuse and trafficking of children and women is high.

“Our discussions have also been centred around making sure that during the Pacific Games and beyond child protection and well-being will be taken into account,” she said.

M’jid said this upcoming game has to be a big moment for strong mobilisation of all sectors and partners on child safety and investing in child protection and well-being.

Aaron Pitaqae of Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs adds that last year the National Disaster Operations Committee (NDOC) was asked to draw up a plan in preparation for the Pacific Games.

Pitaqae said during the first meeting of the NDOC two issues that will be likely to be confronting during the games are highlighted.

“One is, the games will be held in a disaster time for us. November is rainy and cyclone season for Solomon Islands so that is very critical to us.

The second one is the to do with the risk that will be coming in because we will have a lot of people coming in and so, as committee that looks after children all the committees will be activated. And we have plans to try to minimise what is happening in November,” he said.

Pitaqae said speaking about the issues, funds have been allocated for the Ministry of carry out its advocacy on the risks that will likely to happen during the games.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

VISITING UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Violence against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid welcomes commitment to enhance Solomon Islands’ effort in combating violence against children.

M’jid said her visit aims at building strong political commitment and important strides already taken by Solomon Islands to end violence against children.

“The visit provided me an opportunity for the SRSG to engage with key stakeholders to support and mobilise further action; promote good practices and build bridges that allow for the exchange of experience.

“Am here as a bridge builder as advocator to influence policy maker and all the key stakeholders to make sure that children in Solomon Islands are duly protected,” she said.

M’jid said during her visit this week she met with all the key stakeholders.

“Some of the people I met include Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Minister for Finance and Treasury, Chief of Justice, Minister for Education, Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, CSOs, visiting correctional facilities, meeting with survivors and meeting with children with aim to have a better understanding. It was an intensive meeting but this is important, it is a strong key moment for having a snap shot of where you are,” he said.

Minister for Women Youth Children and Family Affairs Freda T Rangirei said the visit of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Violence against Children is “really paramount”.

“Your visit is really paramount. It is very true that all line ministries that connected with us really need to put more efforts to ensure that our children are protected. Your visit is not a mistake but it really gives us more effort to strengthened our efforts,” Rangirei said.