World news story

Solomon Islands marks International Women鈥檚 Day

30 April was marked as National Women鈥檚 Day in Solomon Islands.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI)

International Women鈥檚 Day was marked globally on 8 March 2013. However in Solomon Islands the day was marked on 30 April and rebranded as National Women鈥檚 Day to coincide with the launch of Solomon Island鈥檚 first report on meeting the requirements of the UN Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women report. This is an important moment for women鈥檚 rights in the Solomon Islands.

The UK is committed to work with Solomon Islands to promote and protect women鈥檚 rights and gender equality, and women鈥檚 empowerment worldwide remains a UK priority.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague in his speech during the launch of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) said:

Sexual violence is a problem found in every society in the world, and all countries have to do more to tackle it at home. We have to ensure equal rights for women at every level of society and to protect the vulnerable, most of all our children.

Despite the valiant efforts of many individuals and organizations, the perpetrators of the worst sexual crimes generally go unpunished. I want to publicly renew the British Government鈥檚 commitment to the fight against sexual violence. We want to use Britain鈥檚 influence and diplomatic capability to rally effective international action.

The British High Commission works closely with Solomon Islands Government and NGO鈥檚 support the fight to eliminate all forms of Violence against Women and Girls and has sponsored several projects over the last 2 years.

Further Information

For further information, please contact Betty Wasuka at the British High Commission on Telephone: +677 21705 or +677 21706 and email

Updates to this page

Published 3 May 2013