PRESIDENT of Honiara Council of Women, Martha Alacky say the country needs tougher laws to prosecute those who committed rape and domestic violence against women and girls in Solomon Islands.
Mrs Alacky made these comments last Friday after recent stories about rape, abortion and gender-based violence making headlines in the local media for the past weeks.
“We need strong laws or penalty against the perpetrators,” Mrs Alacky said.
She said these issues cannot be tackles by only one individual or a women’s group.
“A cooperative effort from everyone is needed including the churches, women groups, NGOs, the government, communities and parents to work together to tackle these offenses against our women and young girls,” she said.
She added a strong law to punish the perpetrators would help to reduce such crimes against the women and girls.
Mrs Alacky also said we need strong education awareness in our homes, the communities and to the general public.
As a woman, Alacky shared sympathy with the women and girls and condemn the offenses against them.
Last month, a pregnant woman was allegedly raped by a man at Lungga. The man now is being held by the police.
Also, just this year about five rape cases been reported from the National Referral Hospital from victims who underwent medical check.
Domestic violence is also on the rise in the provinces as few cases have already been reported to the police.
By TRIXIE CARTER
