SI Upholds Equal Rights For Women

PRESS RELEASE 31/08/07GH

SI Upholds Equal Rights For Women And Minority Groups

Deputy Prime Minister Toswell Kaua says the present Solomon Islands government is firmly recognizing equal rights for women and other minority groups across the entire country.

Addressing a meeting on Violence against Women and physically challenged groups; Mr Kaua said the government is serious on the issue by recently re-establishing a separate Ministry for women, youth and children.

He said the country’s constitution has not forgotten these groups and has already empowered women and minority groups by providing special laws protecting their special interests.

“The constitution provided for the equal rights and freedom of all citizens regardless of gender and there were also provisions under the Labour and Employment Acts which protected the rights of women and those with disabilities,” he said.

He said the government’s recognition for women had enabled at least four more women up take up senior posts within the government today.

“At the chief executive level, four women have now been appointed as permanent secretaries. This is a considerable achievement and is an ongoing recognition of the government’s obligation,” Mr Kaua said.

“Now there will be more emphasis and focus in dealing with those issues affecting women through the Ministry of Women, Youth and Children,” he added.

He said the move to set up the ministry of women is an effort to allow women to lead, expose and counter violence.

He said change could happen if the marginal groups themselves are empowered and given the chance to address issues that affected them, particularly their rights.

“While our government have the obligation to ensure that women and the disable are protected in both private or in public places from violence, the responsibility is not only on the Solomon Islands government alone, but all of us.

“It is in our hands to make the difference,” he said.

He said Solomon Islands as a member of the United Nations recognized the universal declaration on human rights.

This declaration is the cornerstone of the UN’s human rights system, which states that everyone should enjoy human rights without discrimination.

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