BY CHRIS ALEX
ON the second day of International Women’s Day celebrations, Australian Minister-Counsellor Lindsay Buckingham from the Australian High Commission reinforced Australia’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the Solomon Islands.
Buckingham highlighted the critical link between gender equality and peace, noting that it is a stronger predictor of stability than a country’s wealth, level of democracy, or religious identity.
“Gender equality is a predictor of civil unrest, and research shows that when peace and stability decline, gender inequality rises,” she stated.
This disproportionately affects women and girls, especially in places where governance is weak, exacerbating political, social, and economic stresses and increasing gender-based violence.”
Australia has been actively implementing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda as part of its broader focus on gender equality and human rights. Buckingham emphasized that Australia stands alongside both government and non-government partners in the Solomon Islands to achieve this goal.
“We are supporting the Solomon Islands National Action Plan through the Women’s Development Division in partnership with UN Women. Additionally, we are working with justice agencies to strengthen the implementation of the Family Protection Act and improve response services across the provinces,” she explained. Since 2019, 12,000 individuals affected by gender-based violence have accessed these services, with plans to expand support further.
Australia is also partnering with local and international NGOs, faith-based organizations, and civil society groups to eliminate violence against women and girls. Buckingham announced that Australia will invest an additional 46 million Solomon dollars over the next three years to continue its support for women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and efforts to end gender-based violence.
This investment aligns closely with the Solomon Islands government’s National Gender Equality and Women’s Development Policy.
Discussing law and justice cooperation, Buckingham reaffirmed Australia and Solomon Islands’ shared commitment to democracy and the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of a strong justice system in maintaining peace and stability. Ending gender-based violence remains a priority, with support being provided through gender initiatives with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the Australian Federal Police RSIPF Policing Partnership Program.
“We are working with the RSIPF to raise public awareness about police responses and available support for victims of gender-based violence,” Buckingham noted. “Training and advisory support are being provided to ensure law enforcement has the necessary tools to protect women affected by violence.”
Furthermore, Australia is assisting the Solomon Islands in implementing its first-ever gender equality strategy within the justice sector, supporting agencies such as the public prosecutor, public defender, and the courts to ensure services are responsive to women’s needs. The launch of the sector’s first gender, power relations, and violence against women training manual is another step towards addressing gender-based violence in workplaces, families, and communities.
“The Solomon Islands law and justice sector is leading many regional firsts on gender equality initiatives, and Australia stands as a steadfast partner,” Buckingham concluded. “We remain committed to ensuring that women and girls are represented and actively participate in all aspects of public life, contributing to a more secure, peaceful, and stable Solomon Islands.”
