Make it 18 Report: Community Voices on Child Marriage Reform in Solomon Islands

Despite existing protections, children in the Solomon Islands, especially girls, remain vulnerable to child marriage due to gaps in legislation, customary practices, gender norms, and the impact of poverty.

World Vision, ChildFund and Save the Children, as members of the Solomon Islands Endim Vaelens Agenstim Pikinini (SIEVAP) Coalition, started the ‘Make It 18’ campaign to advocate for a change in the Marriage Act to set a minimum marriage age of 18.

The Coalition members conducted a series of community consultations with children, youth, parents, caregivers, and faith and community leaders on child marriage and whether the Act should be amended to prevent it. This report summarises the findings from the consultations. It also outlines a series of actions for the government to ensure the Marriage Act is consistent with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. Additionally, it emphasises that any amendments to the Act are effective and enforced, and that a comprehensive approach is taken to address the root causes of child marriage in Solomon Islands.

To learn more about this campaign, you can also watch this interview by Rebekah Armstrong, World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy and Justice.