WOMEN around the world and in the country are still suffering from various forms of discrimination, abuse and exploitation.
That’s according to Madame Grace Kabui, wife of Governor General Sir Frank Kabui.
Madame Kabui was speaking in Honiara yesterday during celebrations to mark International Women’s Day.
This is a special day the United Nations set aside for women to come together and reflect on their achievements and on issues affecting them.
“Many women and girls throughout the world including Solomon Islands have suffered and are suffering from various forms of discrimination, abuse, exploitation, violence and unfair treatment,” Madame Kabui said.
“This is happening even right in their very homes, an environment that should be regarded as the safest and most loving atmosphere,” she said.
This year’s theme is “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All”.
Madame Kabui said the theme means everyone, including women and children, can access their rights and also have access to opportunities in all areas of life and at all levels.
She said local women deserve to equally enjoy their rights to the fullest, irrespective of sex, race, colour, religion or status, because our National Constitution and other laws, and other International Conventions which Solomon Islands has ratified did prescribe our human rights.
“If this is what our Constitution perceives our rights to be then the following questions need to be resolved in a culturally dominated society in Solomon Islands:
* Why are most women in the Solomon Islands not given the opportunity to fully enjoy their rights?
* Why is it that most women have to wait and beg to be heard?
* Why is it that most women are kept from enjoying the same opportunities as men?
* Why are most women being suppressed from taking part in decision making both at home, or local or at national level?
* Why is it that there is no women in the Parliament- the highest decision making body in our land- whose decisions impinge on our very lives, that of men, women and children?
Madame Kabui said recognising women’s right under the Constitution and international conventions can be easily spelled out.
“But enforcing and implementing those rights in a manner that will fully expose women to those rights is almost like a mockery to all women in a cultural knitted society like in the Solomon Islands.
“Our leaders need to fully address these pressing issues and eradicate these cultural barriers against women if we are to fully appreciate, recognise and enforce the rights of women in our country.”
She also commended the effort of the Government towards the empowerment of women in the signing of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on 6th May 2002.
“It is our hope that the Government will enforce and implement the provisions under the CEDAW so that women and girls in Solomon Islands will be able to enjoy their rights and freedoms without any hindrance.”
Lady Kabui also thanked women, organizations, and men who work tirelessly in ensuring that efforts are being made to ensure that women and children do enjoy their human rights and have all levels of development in our nation.
She also appealed to the stakeholders that for the sake of our younger generation leaders of this country must recognise the efforts and contributions of women.
“This is so that they too enjoy their rights and have equal access to opportunities for the future can only become meaningful if we care to listen and act on their needs.”
Yesterday’s ceremony began with a March from the Women Development Division office to Art Gallery where all activities were held.
By GINA MAKA’A
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