Finnish Overseas Consultants(FinnOC) Ltd has successfully completed their site visit from July 1, 2025 to July 11, 2025 as part of its delivery of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection Prevention and Response Support Services under the Second Solomon Islands Roads and Aviation Project (SIRAP2).
The initiative is funded by the World Bank and is being implemented by the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA).
The visit, conducted in Honiara and Auki, marks a critical first step in ensuring that infrastructure development under SIRAP2 is accompanied by robust social safeguards.
The FinnOC team engaged with government representatives, civil society organizations, SAFENET service providers, and the SIRAP2 Project Support Team to:
• Understand GBV/ Violence Against Children (VAC) risks across SIRAP2 sites by identifying community-specific vulnerabilities and social dynamics to inform tailored prevention strategies.
• To assess community-specific needs, identify logistical challenges, and foster a coordinated, collaborative approach to implementing GBV/VAC activities under SIRAP2.
• Identify ways to embed GBV/VAC prevention into SIRAP2 infrastructure delivery and contractor engagement, prioritizing risk mitigation in high-impact areas.
• Review the GBV/VAC service landscape to identify key providers, service gaps, and priority areas that will inform the next phase of mapping and training.
The consultant is currently preparing the first deliverable of Community and Services Mapping of High-Risk Areas and Referral Pathway Diagram, scheduled for submission by October 2, 2025.
This output will provide a detailed overview of community perceptions, service availability, referral systems, and high-risk locations to inform targeted interventions.
MCA Permanent Secretary, Alwyn Danitofea underscored the importance of this initiative:
“GBV remains a critical concern in many regions, with some countries facing disproportionately high rates. As infrastructure and connectivity improve, new risks can emerge—including human trafficking, exploitation, and other forms of abuse.”
The GBV/VAC training will be rolled out across all SIRAP2 project sites in five provinces, beginning with capacity building for contractors, workers, and local authorities, followed by community engagement activities to raise awareness and strengthen referral pathways.
– SIRAP
