For five years, from 1998 to 2003, violent civil conflict battered the Solomon Islands, leaving deep scars. Islanders still working to rebuild and rehabilitate their communities bear the burdens of social, political and economic instability. The challenges are stark: nearly 200,000 people live below the poverty line, a significant portion of the population relies on subsistence farming and 16.5% are undernourished. In response to these pressing issues, the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are actively addressing gender inequality, food insecurity, disease and poverty in the Solomon Islands.

Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Rights

The Solomon Islands is a deeply patriarchal and conservative society, but it is making significant progress toward female empowerment. The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women on 18 Dec. 1979. It advances the roles of women and girls in all spheres of life, from agriculture to government. The Solomon Islands enacted its first Family Protection Act 35 years later, a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed domestic violence and significantly stepped toward protecting women from physical and sexual assault. According to the U.N. Women, the government advances women’s equity by implementing fee-free education and enacting targeted measures to increase primary and secondary education enrollment rates, enabling girls to start and stay in school.

Economic Competitiveness through Agriculture

Solomon Islanders primarily work in agriculture, mining, forestry, fishing and tourism. Their main exports—fish and timber—have been depleted. This has led to widespread underemployment and left thousands unable to provide for their families. To enhance the Solomon Islands’ economic competitiveness, USAID partnered with the largest cocoa buyer in the Solomon Islands to promote farmers’ education, develop nurseries, renew family plantations and improve processing techniques. This collaboration has significantly impacted agribusiness by increasing farmers’ productivity and income. These interventions have also improved the governance of natural resources through partnerships with national, provincial and community partners.

Enhancing Health Care and Disease Prevention

The U.N. and USAID have played critical roles in advancing health care in the Solomon Islands. Each organization has significantly protected islanders from disease outbreaks and combated endemic strains of malaria, tuberculosis and dengue. Under its Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the U.N. is upgrading the Islands’ Public Health Laboratory and enhancing access to clean water through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program. Similarly, USAID has been supporting the Solomon Islands in combating COVID-19. This is being achieved by enhanced data collection, promoting vaccination campaigns, training health workers and procuring emergency equipment. During the pandemic’s peak, USAID worked with civil society organizations to establish quarantine facilities. Additionally, they supported case tracking and assisted in repatriating Solomon Islanders stranded overseas.

Looking Ahead

The Solomon Islands are steadily overcoming the aftermath of years of civil conflict through targeted efforts by the U.N. and USAID. These organizations are focusing on advancing gender equality, improving food security and enhancing health care services. By promoting women’s rights, boosting agricultural productivity and strengthening public health systems, the foundations for reducing poverty in the Solomon Islands are being set. A brighter and more resilient future for the Solomon Islands are being established.

– Natalie Kaufman

Natalie is based in Orlando, FL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr