Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs Hon. John Maneniaru and UN Women Deputy Executive Director Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York
Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs Hon. John Maneniaru has advocated for stronger cooperation with UN Women.
The Minister has urged the need to advance the protection, empowerment and participation of women and girls in Solomon Islands.
Minister Maneniaru made the remarks during a meeting with UN Women Deputy Executive Director Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Minister acknowledged UN Women as a longstanding partner of the Ministry.
He acknowledged UN Women for providing technical and financial support across key areas including ending violence against women and girls, women’s economic empowerment, leadership, Women, Peace and Security and climate and disaster resilience.
A key priority is the country’s first National Prevention Strategy to End Violence Against Women and Girls 2026–2038.
The strategy is undergoing final validation and is expected to be submitted to Cabinet in October ahead of its planned launch during the 16 Days of Activism in November.
Ms. Nyaradzayi briefed the minister on the Golkipa initiative which uses sport, faith leadership and community dialogue to promote positive social norms.
The meeting further highlighted the Markets for Change programme, which supports women market vendors and market governance in seven Solomon Islands markets.
This initiative will increase women’s participation and leadership in local decision-making.
The Minister also highlighted the Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan 2026–2030, which is at the post-validation stage.
He welcomed UN Women’s support for its development and implementation.
Discussions also explored expanding cooperation on gender-responsive disaster preparedness and resilience.
This includes strengthening existing mechanisms and capacity to better address the needs of women, children, youth, older persons and people with disabilities during emergencies.
Potential areas of future cooperation including support for a proposed nationwide sanitation programme were also discussed.
Minister Maneniaru thanked UN Women for its longstanding partnership and expressed his commitment to deepening cooperation to strengthen opportunities, protection and leadership for women and girls across Solomon Islands.
[end]
OPMC statement
Newsletter
Get the latest SIBC News stories by email, once a day. Free, and you can unsubscribe any time.
