BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE Solomon Islands Governor General has urged the nation to learn from concerns raised by His Majesty King Charles III about domestic violence against women and girls on his November 3-day visit to Honiara in 2019.
Speaking during celebrations to mark the Official Birthday of King Charles III on Friday, Sir David Vunagi recalled: “When King Charles III addressed the gathering at the Lawson Tama in pidgin, he urged Solomon Islanders, the fact that domestic abuse is a formal form of discrimination that results in physical and sexual harm and prevents women from reaching their full potential.
“Domestic abuse is still prevalent in some of our families and communities in the Solomon Islands.
“And regrettably, the majority of conflicts between married couples ended in violence because of the cultural belief that domestic abuse is a private affair.
“Both the husband and wife asserted that they had the freedom to do whatever they choose.
“Failing to comprehend human rights is another reason why there is violence in marriages.
“In my opinion, a husband and wife cannot each assert a right apart from the other spouse in a marriage. They just have a reciprocal obligation to love and care for one another,” he said to locals on Friday at the Lawson Tama Stadium.
Likewise, Sir Vunagi recalled that King Charles III had also spoken about youth issues and how communities might help them make the transition to maturity. In addition to helping young people form social networks and networks of support in their communities, basic financial education is
