SIBILANDO Community, a remote village located in the North Vella La Vella Island has praised and thanked the Safenet team.
Safenet is a leading organization in Western Province dedicated to addressing gender-based violence and promoting safety for women and children in the country
This came after two days of events – Wednesday and Friday conducted by the women of Ward 9 in Sibilando, first the Advocacy and Awareness Program and second the election of the new Executive Council of Women from Ward 9 Sibilando.
One hundreds of the communities of Ward 9 from Kimbiri to Boro community turned out to attend the Safenet awareness and information sharing in Simbilando community.
Safenet involvement which consist members and other stakeholders from Western Province Council of Women (WPCW), Family Support Center (FSC), Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) and Social Welfare underscores the importance of partnership between religious organizations and advocacy groups in tackling the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.
During the event, SAFENET representatives provided valuable insights into the realities of domestic violence and shared resources available to those affected.
They emphasized the critical role that community members and church leaders play in supporting victims and advocating for change.
Speaking to Solomon Star in an interview, Everlyn Mumapige said that for the first time she and other members and participants who joined the awareness held by Safenet were interested, sad and shocking.
Evelyn Mumapige who is a Headmistress of the Kimbiri Primary School said many of the awareness and information sharing was new to them.
She said that information sharing really displays how our society portrays itself but they did not realize it or they just neglect it without knowing how to address those issues and go about it.
‘’Many parents in our communities even leaders in the communities are guilty as well when hearing the truths and facts about gender based violence, child abuse and other pressing issues and realities happening in our community and it is shaping who we are individually, family community and society as a whole
‘’With so many illiterate populace living in the rural setting plus remoteness of the zones we live in, we find it very challenging to navigate our hardships we face daily,” she said.
‘’At the moment we just know that social welfare, family support centers and other important key stakeholders exist that will assist and help us to solve our family problems and other issues that abide by the laws of our Government.
‘’Many times when some problems arises that needs serious attention we only solve at the community level by chiefs, church and elders but this is not a right procedure, any matters that are seen as a big issue, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the Safenet is a right place to go and visit. Other minor issues can be solved at the community level,’’ Evelyn said.
Evelyn adds that ‘’we are so happy and privileged to have this team to visit us and really gives us new insights and opens our brain as well.
‘’This information sharing and awareness really opens our consciousness and we will work together to build a vibrant and peaceful community for the sake of our future generation.
Western Province Safenet Provincial Coordinator, Lizzy Binnett Wong highlight that Western Province recently has recorded with the highest cases of domestic violence like sexual abuse right across the country.
She said by looking at the critical areas where WP has the red flag of gender based violence, there is a need for more collaboration with every church and religious group to tackle those serious issues and concern for protecting women and young girls in the community and society.
During the awareness and information sharing many women were emotionally moved by the awareness about the gender based violence cases kept rising in the country.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
