THE Apunepara Ha’amwaora Natural Resource Association (AHNRA) has launched its final research report on ‘Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV)’ amongst women and youths in the South Malaita, East Are’Are and West Are’Are constituencies of Malaita Province.
The findings were shared with local media during a breakfast press conference hosted by AHNRA at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) headquarters in Rove, West Honiara, yesterday.
The event was led by AHNRA Board Member and Marine Ranger Abel Oscar, Chairman Gibson Oasanau and Ranger Desmond Oraiol.
The OGBV research, conducted over one and a half months, covered 39 communities across the three constituencies. It involved 215 participants – 57 women and 21 men aged from 30 to 49 as well as 137 youths (both female and male) aged from 14 to 29.
The constituencies were selected due to their extensive telecommunication network coverage, ranging from 80 per-cent to 100 per-cent following recent upgrades to 3G and 4G networks. This reliable internet access has facilitated the rise of OGBV in the region.
The data revealed alarming trends:
- 65 female youths, 58 male youths, 56 adult women, and 19 adult men confirmed using digital devices and platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp in the past 24 hours.
- 93 per-cent of male youths, 83 per-cent of female youths and 63 per-cent of women reported having experienced or witnessed OGBV incidents.
The report attributes the high prevalence of OGBV to widespread access to digital networks, the availability of smartphones, and the use of online platforms.
It states that digital technology has become integral to life in rural Malaita, with communities increasingly relying on devices like mobile phones, laptops, and desktop computers to access platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Telegram.
To address these challenges, the report offers practical recommendations developed through consultations with diverse stakeholders, including community leaders, women, youth, government officials, service providers, and local elders. These recommendations aim to:
- Establish comprehensive strategies to support OGBV victims and perpetrators;
- Foster collaboration among community groups and stakeholders to develop effective solutions; and
- Promote awareness, education, and safety measures at the family, community, provincial, and national levels.
Mr Oscar emphasised the importance of media as the first stakeholder to receive the report, with plans to present it to the Malaita Provincial Government and donor partners.
He acknowledged the challenges faced during the research, including the association’s inexperience, but highlighted the team’s resilience and commitment to learning from their mistakes.
“We see our challenges as great opportunities,” Oscar said.
Mr Oscar said AHNRA’s focus on empowering young people by placing them in key leadership positions, ensuring they gain the skills and knowledge needed to lead in the future.
This project was funded by the European Union, facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Pacific Digital Democracy Initiative and implemented by AHNRA.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
