BY MAINE LIVETT
Isles Media Freelance Reporter in Gizo
WOMEN, men, and children in Gizo came out in number to join a parade and Vigil Against Rape and Sexual Violence in commemoration of Late Mary Savita Aram on Monday.
Leaders of the parade, marching from different locations in the western capital to Gizo town hall are SafeNet, side by side and save the children, chanting “Justice for Mary” and say no to rape culture for a better society.”
Side by Side activist Nasia pae said this is the time to voice out for the authorities to know, say no to rape. How many more women, how many more girls, it’s time to stop rape culture. How many more children will be out of school roll call?”
The event coincides with 16 days of activism against sexual and gender-based violence, advocating this year’s theme “Safety in our family leads to Peace in our homes.”
The Public Solicitors Office (PSO) was also invited to present data updates of gender-based violence and sexually related offenses in the Western Province.
Representing PSO Family Lawyer, Andrew Bosa said, PSO Family Unit stands with the rest throughout the country to condemn in the very strongest term “this incident in which we see as unwelcoming, uncalled for and unwarranted in our society.”
“Violence and abuse against children undermine all forms of their development invest in children, and also it has a devastating long-term consequence,” Bosa said
“At the moment we still lack the political commitments and financial investments to keep children safe at home, online, school, and within communities.
On top of that, the effect of COVID19 has increased children’s risk of violence in our country and community especially placed new pressures on both national and internal donors to deal with unified action to prevent our children.”
Violence against children is not unavoidable and it will continue to rise in our communities. Through joint action, we can demonstrate that together we can stand to stop such attitude.” PSO is a member of SAFENET. SAFENET is a network of government and non-government organizations to strengthen the referral and coordination of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) services in the Solomon Islands. It aims to streamline the assistance being provided to survivors and help them access more timely and necessary services.”
