Solomon Islands Endim Vaelens Agenstim Pikinini (SIEP) Programme launch
A joint Advocacy programme to ensure 'children in the Solomon Islands are safe and protected from all forms of violence and participate as active agents of change is launched in Honiara on November 1st, 2022.
The advocacy, called "The Solomon Islands Endim Vaelens Agenstim Pikinini (SIEVAP) programme will be implemented in the country by Save the Children, ChildFund, and World Vision Solomon Islands.
The programme is crucial because, according to the UNICEF Situation Analysis on abuse for Children below 15 years, the Solomon Islands is the highest in the Pacific Island Countries and Timor Leste region, which stands at 37 percent. In addition, the Unseen, Unsafe: The Underinvestment in Ending Violence Against Children in the Pacific and Timor-Leste (2019) report estimated about 212,687 Solomon Islands children aged 1-14yrs experienced some form of violent discipline at home, including physical and emotional violence.
In his keynote address, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women, Youth and Children Affairs Dr. Cedric Alependava said, this is high time to have the coalition to address the protection issues of children in the Solomon Islands. The DCCGA government wants us all to work together as a team. Let us not work in isolation," he said.
"Our children are depending on us to be the force for change," Country Director Save the Children, Lisa Cuatt, said during the launch today.
The Coalition will work to support families and communities to protect children from all forms of violence, respond to, and address child protection issues, and work closely with the Solomon Islands Government on policy and legislative reforms to protect children from all forms of violence.
"We need to go beyond the boundaries of each of our organisations as separate entities or 'organisms' and start collaborating as a single organism and as Solomon Islanders in the quest for ending violence against children," Eileen Kwalea, Senior Project Officer ChildFund Solomon Islands said during the launch.
World Vision Solomon Islands National Director Jimmy Nadapdap assured his organisation is commitment to supporting the advocacy in achieving its goal.
"World Vision is committed to working with the implementing partners, communities, and Government agencies to achieve the project's goal, which is working to ensure children in the Solomon Islands are safe and protected from all forms of violence and participate as active agents of change," Mr. Nadapdap said.
The Coalition will work in Honiara, Malaita and Western provinces.
‘Supported by the New Zealand Government’s Aid Programme, the advocacy is estimated to benefit Children, Parents, Community Leaders, and Faith-based Leaders.
It is anticipated that 5,252 people will be direct beneficiaries, including 3,156 children and 40 children with disabilities. In addition, there will be an estimated total of 15,756 people (including 9,468 children) indirect beneficiaries.
