BY JOY OFASIA
Hundreds of children joined a joyful parade to celebrate International Children’s Day 2025 yesterday and 30 years since the Solomon Islands ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
The celebration, held at the Multi-Purpose Hall, was organized by the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs in partnership with UNICEF and other key partners.
About 300 children from eight schools marched from the Honiara City Council Car Park to the hall, proudly carrying messages about their rights and dreams for the future.
Inside, government officials, community leaders, development partners, and young representatives came together to look back on three decades of progress in education, health, and child protection — and to look ahead to a brighter future.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry, Dr. Cedrick Alependava, said the day was both a celebration and a call to action.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Dr Cedrick Alependava delivering his speech during the event.
“Today’s gathering is not only to celebrate but also to reaffirm our shared commitment to protect our children, nurture them, empower them, and highlight their voices,” he said.
He said this year’s theme, “Listen to the future — for every child, every right,” reminds everyone that children’s voices must be heard and respected.
“Their voices, their dreams, their ideas, and their aspirations must be heard — and we must act upon them,” Dr. Alependava said. “Every parent and every adult must take this to heart.”
He also thanked UNICEF, Save the Children, World Vision, ChildFund New Zealand, and other partners for their continued support.
“I would like to thank all our partners for your collaboration and ongoing support for the welfare of children in our country,” he added.
The event was not just about looking back — it was also about renewing a promise: to make sure every child in the Solomon Islands grows up safe, healthy, and empowered.
Ratified on April 10, 1995, the Convention on the Rights of the Child remains the most widely accepted human rights treaty in history, protecting every child’s right to survival, development, protection, and participation.
As one young student said after the parade, smiling proudly,
“We march today because our voices matter — we are the future.”
