Dear Editor – I’m writing as a Solomon Islands citizen voicing my concerns on the growing incidence of kwaso in Honiara, a key contributor community violence and crime.
The homemade alcohol (kwaso) beyond being a health hazard to consumers can be linked to community violence and crimes. The vulnerable members of our society, women and children are the ones mostly affected by violence caused by male relatives consuming frequent high volumes of kwaso.
Social and community stability is only as strong as the justice and family support systems are the community level. The family support system to protect and rehabilitate the victims of kwaso-related violence must have services available in all local communities. The latter is clearly lacking to protect women and children seeking protection.
The Family Protection Act, 2014 is still not enough to provide protection apart from the safety notices and restraining orders. Women and children are still afraid to report domestic violence, alcohol abuse and chaos at home due to the fear of not be protected as victims. Kwaso-related violence are not always reported to the justice formal system.
Why is it that services to protect victims of kwaso-related violence are not available to our communities? To what extent does the law enforcement body aim to improve stability in communities around Honiara? Or has this chaos now becoming our new status quo?
Sincerely,
Genevieve Suri
USPSI Campus
