Solomon Islands
Advancing gender equality is essential for this vibrant Pacific country as it grapples with a growing youth population AND CLIMATE CHANGE.
Solomon Islands lies to the northeast of Papua New Guinea and is home to 70 languages and over 997 islands, making this small island nation one of great diversity.
Gender inequality persists, with big challenges including women’s low political representation, high rates of gender-based violence, and limited access for women and girls to education and formal employment. As Solomon Islands youth population grows (currently over 59% of the population is under 24), young women and girls are especially impacted. Public attitudes towards women’s rights and gender equality can fluctuate widely with external influences, including global backlash to equality and inclusion.
Climate change is severely impacting Solomon Islands. Most people live in low-elevation coastal areas, leading semi-subsistence lifestyles, and most food is grown by the coast. Additionally, almost three-quarters of the population reside in rural areas with limited access to healthcare, formal education, and other government services. This means that livelihoods and food security are increasingly threatened by rising sea levels and more frequent natural disasters. Since 2008, weather-related events have caused the displacement of over 26,000 people.
At IWDA, we know that women and girls are not only disproportionately impacted by these challenges, but that they add immense value when they are part of the solutions. We are proud to partner with four incredible organisations who are leading the charge to advance gender equality in Solomon Islands, by ensuring that women and girls are safe, involved in leadership and decision-making, and have access to their own money.
At IWDA, we know that women and girls are not only disproportionately impacted by these challenges, but that they add immense value when they are part of the solutions. We are proud to partner with four incredible organisations who are leading the charge to advance gender equality in Solomon Islands, by ensuring that women and girls are safe, involved in leadership and decision-making, and have access to their own money.
Life for women in Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a patriarchal society and men hold the majority of leadership positions in state, customary, and faith-based institutions. In government, just six women have ever been elected to parliament since 1978. Across the country, 75% of women work outside the formal economy, and only 16% of women (compared with 21% of men) have completed secondary school. A 2009 study found that 64% of ever-partnered women had experienced sexual and/or physical violence from an intimate partner.
Despite these obstacles, Solomon Islands is on the precipice of significant advancements in the lives of women and girls. Through the work of our partners and women’s rights advocates, there is increasing political will towards women’s rights, a growing women’s machinery within government, and a strong women’s rights movement in civil society. This is created an increasing creating an increasing enabling environment for women’s rights and gender equality.
The recent ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in 2023, and accompanying policy changes, is supporting greater inclusion and protection of the rights or people with disabilities.
Barriers to equality
3 seats
Out of 50 in parliament is currently held by a woman
64%
Ever-partnered women have experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner
75%
Women are in vulnerable employment
Quick stats
850,000
Total population
156/193
Human Development Index Ranking (HDI)
35%
Population living below National Poverty Line
Partnering for change
Promoting women’s leadership
With rates of women’s political representation in Solomon Islands amongst the lowest in the world, holding the government accountable for its commitments to women is critical. That’s why our partner Women’s Rights Action Movement (WRAM) is leading a campaign to introduce reserved seats for women. WRAM also works with the Solomon Islands Women’s Rights movement to hold the government accountable, and bring a “gender lens” to development laws, policies and programs.
Strengthening women’s safety and security
Almost two-thirds of women in Solomon Islands experience physical or sexual violence by a partner. With little knowledge of or access to support services, the majority of women will not report their experiences or seek assistance. Our partner Family Support Centre provides free counselling, legal aid, and case management services to survivors of violence, and operates provincial committees and a mobile counselling service to reach women in rural and isolated areas. Our partner Christian Care Centre provides safe housing and support for women and girl survivors of all forms of violence – and is the only mediumterm safe house in Solomon Islands. In recent years, both partners have been scaling up their operations to improve service coverage across all 9 provinces in Solomon Islands and are leading violence prevention efforts.
Economic empowerment
Many women in Solomon Islands have never had the opportunity to earn an income or handle money. Our partner West ‘Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) is giving thousands of women the chance to do both. Providing a safe space for women to come together and create their own small businesses, WARA is supporting women to gain economic independence and the confidence to play a more active role in household and community decision making.
IWDA partners in Solomon Islands
