Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands archipelago consists of more than 900 islands. There are 10 provinces, including Honiara, the capital city. The majority of Solomon Islanders are Melanesian. On gaining independence from Britain in 1978, Solomon Islands inherited the Westminster system of government. “Customary law,” known as kastom, which varies across the archipelago, is a recognized source of law under the constitution. The Christian churches are also extremely important in Solomon Islands societies.

Women's roles in the family, tribe, community, and church are highly regarded and respected. These roles also were important in their roles as mediators and peacemakers in conflict. More recently, an assessment of women in employment showed that more women are now working in the public and private sector.

Despite these gains, a key emerging issue for women is their exclusion from decision-making processes. There are no women members of Parliament, only five women in provincial governments, five women permanent secretaries and some women directors of divisions within the public service. When linked to the broader socioeconomic context of development, weak management systems and mechanisms, and high levels of violence against women, the need to empower rural women and to provide policy and legislative reform at the national government level exists. Solomon Islands women face significant challenges in acquiring substantive gender equality.

Women's challenges are framed by the demands of globalization, capitalism, and modernization, which have created significant social change in the past decade. Conflict accompanies social change, particularly between the norms created by modern human rights discourse and the norms of kastom, tradition, and Christianity. The need to support women as they adapt to the cash economy and, at the same time, for broader society to adapt to women's changing social roles is increasing, but significant problems are evolving as a consequence. There is a need for an increased engagement of local women with expertise and experience to influence and drive social change and to make informed decisions about the creation of social change that is locally appropriate. It is clear that the country is in need of supporting changes that will advance the status of women, but such changes need to be couched within legal frameworks that will ensure change of attitudes toward women as equal citizens. Although Solomon Islands women's development paths will evolve at their own pace and with their own version of progress, there are concerns, nonetheless, about the quality of women's lives in the communities while they wait for their government to more effectively represent their interests and their rights as citizens.