Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands need women women MPs, says Dyer
(Solomon Star - 8 January 2010)

These were the words of Sarah Dyer, Women in Leadership Desk officer of the National Council of Women. Ms Dyer said there are already a few women who are showing interest to contest in the upcoming elections.
“Some of them contested in previous elections while some will be their first time,”Ms Dyer said. She said women are already making preparation for the election. “These women know the issues affecting local women so if they get in there, they’ll contribute meaningfully during debate,”Ms Dyer said. She said one of the things the women are still waiting for is whether the number of constituencies will increase. The Constituency Boundaries Commission has recommended 16 new constituencies.

Solomons Women's Ministry seeks backing for its national policy
(Radio New Zealand International - 17 February 2009)

Solomon Islands Ministry of Women Youth and Children is urging everyone to support its vision for women's development this year. The Ministry is aiming to strengthen womens' networks and undertake projects to improve literacy. The permanent secretary, Ethel Sigamanu, says this will increase the likelihood of legislation, such as special seats for women in Parliament, being passed, as well as improve women's rights as outlined in the CEDAW convention.

 Wale: Political will needed to fight corruption
(Solomon Star - 4 March 2009)

THE Solomon Islands Government must take the lead in creating a legislative environment hostile to corruption if it is to fight this scourge. Minister of Education and Human Resources Matthew Wale said this last night at the annual meeting of Transparency Solomon Islands in Honiara. Mr Wale said it's therefore right that the government make the fight against corruption core to its reform agenda and development policy.

Ombudsman sets out future plans
(Solomon Star - 23 February 2009)

The Solomon Islands Ombudsman Joe Poraiwai received a strong message from stakeholders about the importance the Ombudsman has in building public confidence in their government by holding public servants to account. Public sector accountability means holding public servants in all areas of government to account for their actions: as school teachers, as nurses, public servants delivering government services to the people in every ministries and service," Mr Poraiwai said.

Leaders financial affairs and interests
(Solomon Star - 21 February 2009)

It is important that all Solomon Island Government Officials uphold the rules and requirements set out for them in the Solomon Islands constitution. One such requirement states that all leaders must disclose their financial affairs and register their financial interests to the Leadership Code Commissions (LCC). Those who fail to do so are guilty of misconduct in office which is also a related issue in the ongoing struggle in corruption.

Transparency welcomes anti-corruption taskforce
(Solomon Star - 12 February 2009)

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) yesterday commended the Sikua Government for its commitment to create an Anti-Corruption Task Force. The role of this Task Force is to formulate workable policies to curb corruption, including the proposed creation of an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). "It is important that the taskforce does not focus only on ICAC," Transparency said in a statement. It needs to also consider other possible ways of reducing corruption through both prevention and prosecution."

Leaders learn how to prevent corruption
(Solomon Star - 2 March 2009)

ANTI-CORRUPTION and accountability agencies joined forces to brief Solomon Islands Government Ministers and Permanent Secretaries on corruption prevention. Commission chairman Emmanuel Kouhota said Government leaders must be aware of their responsibilities under the Leadership Code. "These responsibilities include the need to disclose to the Leadership Code Commission information regarding their financial affairs, including assets, gifts, income, and shares held by the leader, their spouse or children."

Government committed to promote good governance
(Solomon Star - 24 February 2009)

 The Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono said the Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement (CNURA) Government is committed to promoting more participatory development and transparent and accountable governance in the country, when he officiated the three day workshop on the Solomon Islands Freedom of Information Workshop. "With the right to access information from Government bodies, people can start more effectively engaging with their own democracy with the development activities which are going on around them," the MP said. "In Solomon Islands it is often difficult for people outside Honiara to find out about what the central and provincial governments are doing but with the ability to access information people will understand our government."

Transparency - For what, to whom?
(Solomon Star: Viewpoint/Private View - 7 February 2009)

IN today's struggle of combating corruption, one of the most important aspects is transparency. Transparency implies openness, no secrecy, communication and accountability'. When things are done in the dark, it can breed corruption. Transparent procedures include open meetings, financial disclosure of statements, the freedom of information, budgeting and expenditures open for verification, audits etc. To enlighten more people and to have more people participating in decision-making is real democracy.

 Building a nation of integrity
(Solomon Star: Viewpoint/Private View - 13 December 2009)

BUILDING national integrity is a positive way of saying "STOP CORRUPTION' or in popular Solomon phrase "Corruption naf nao". In building national integrity each person takes the initiatives to help one another to prosper because each values honesty, trustworthiness, respect, openness, accountability , working together for the common good, helping one another and putting others first. Building a nation of integrity therefore is the responsibility of every citizen in Solomon Islands - the government, NGOs, Media, Civil Societies, private sector and individuals. The government plays a big part in building National integrity through its integrity institutions such as the Leadership Code Commission, Office of the Auditor General, the Ombudsman, Police and Judiciary.

Women's week benefit many
(Solomon Star - 3 November 2008)

Women's Desk Officer for National Council of Women, (NCW) Sarah Dyer told women during the five-day event for women's week that "Leadership is using your position to make decisions." "It is the process of good governance and transparency, a kind of leadership that addresses and know the issues and needs of the people you are responsible for," she said. Ms Dyer said a good leader should have good communication skills with clarity so as not to get people or community confused. "Leadership is how one uses their power, knowledge, money, resources, skills and experience to run an organization". Ms Dyer said the near exclusion of women from legislative decision-making could largely be attributed to traditional norms.

Gov't will not meddle with police, judiciary says PM
(Solomon Star - 25 February 2009)

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has assured the Police and Judiciary that his Government will not interfere with their work. He said the third arm of governance, the Judiciary, must remain neutral and independent. He said the Police Force must safeguard the interests and needs of Solomon Islands and people.  While the Prime Minister agreed with the reported improvement in the police force, he believes there's still a lot of work to be done.

Believe in yourself: women urged
(Solomon Star - 16 February 2009)

The Solomon Islands government is pushing to introduce Special Temporary Measures for women to enter parliament. This comes as women are struggling to win 50 seats. Government will need to come up with a Bill to pass this resolution. Secretary for Women, Youths and Children, Ethel Sigamanu urged women to work together and start believing in themselves. "We need unity. We must start believing of women going into parliament."  

Cabinet yet to see paper on 'women in politics'
(Solomon Star - 16 April 2009)

THE paper for special measures for women in politics is still to come before Cabinet. The Minister for women's affairs, Peter Tom, said the paper included a suggestion for 10 reserved seats in Parliament for women. He said it was important for parliament to hear the voice of women. In the last two elections, Solomon Islands voters elected no woman candidate.