Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevalence is a key concern within communities that the Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP) is working in.
In fact, 64 percent of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 report experiencing physical and sexual violence by an intimate partner. Eighteen percent of women aged 15-49 report experiencing sexual violence by someone other than an intimate partner.
The Solomon Islands Government implemented, and World Bank supported SIRAP, is working with communities in Munda, Noro and Malaita to address GBV, violence against children, and human trafficking through a strategy that consists of three pillars: Needs Assessments; Prevention; and Support Services.
The project has undertaken consultations to better identify community needs to help address GBV-related issues. In Malaita Province, consultations were recently held with provincial government, police, health and community welfare representatives, Malaita Provincial Women’s Council, women’s church groups, local and national NGOs, and service providers.
To help mitigate GBV on project-related works, SIRAP is also implementing GBV Codes of Conduct, alongside regular training for workers and managers hired for civil works and airport workers.
To bolster support services, SIRAP has supported the Western Family Support Centre, the Malaita Care and Counselling Centre, and the Malaita Provincial Women’s Council to strengthen their ability to respond and provide assistance to anyone who may require these services.
This activity started in 2020 and ended in June 2023.
The Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2) is currently constructing four new bridges in Malaita and providing upgrades to Honiara and Munda Airports and Santa Cruz (Lata) Airfield, investment in air navigation systems in Makira-Ulawa and Temotu Provinces, and finance for regional airport maintenance. SIRAP2 will add Santa Cruz to this ongoing GBV initiative.
Source: SIRAP