Outcome SLB_D_2.1

By 2027, more people, particularly those at risk of being left behind, benefit from more equitable access to resilient, and gender-responsive, quality basic services, food security/nutrition and social protection systems. [PCF Strategic Priority 2: People]

In 2024, Solomon Islands made significant strides in strengthening gender-responsive service delivery and protection systems across multiple sectors, reaching diverse populations through coordinated initiatives spanning essential services, sports, and emergency response. Operating under a legally binding Memorandum of Understanding, these multi-sectoral efforts directly enhanced equitable access to resilient, quality services, particularly for those most at risk of being left behind. Through coordinated efforts, these programs reached substantial numbers across different population segments. In total, 4,697 women benefited from the initiatives: 70 women received intensive direct support services, 89 participated in professional capacity building, and 4,538 accessed community awareness and education resources. In Malaita province alone, 9,076 individuals (4,538 females, 4,538 males) accessed awareness and support services across six communities. The Malaita Christian Counselling Center provided critical counseling and shelter services to 128 survivors of gender-based violence, including 70 women and 58 children. Through sports-based programs, 105 individuals (71 women, 34 men) gained enhanced understanding of gender equality and violence prevention. Project Golkipa's community consultations engaged 62 community members (26 females, 36 males) in creating safe spaces for women and girls. SAFENET meetings engaged 34 members (26 women, 8 men) in May and expanded to 63 members (43 women, 20 men) by November, strengthening institutional capacity for inclusive service delivery. Notable behavioral changes emerged among rights holders and duty bearers, informed by comprehensive gender data collection and analysis. Community members demonstrated increased understanding of gender-based violence and available support services, challenging deeply rooted cultural attitudes through culturally sensitive approaches. Sports leaders showed increased commitment to gender equality, developing new protocols and strategies for women's safe participation. Service providers exhibited enhanced technical capabilities in trauma-informed care and coordinated response, with SAFENET members achieving 62% overall technical capacity. Provincial Protection Committee members showed remarkable improvements in their understanding of Gender Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE), with knowledge increasing from 19% to 73% in Choiseul and 54% to 75% in Western Province. Institutional performance saw significant enhancement through strengthened coordination mechanisms and standardized protocols. SAFENET's eleven member organizations developed three key data-informed strategies: the Emergency Response Protocol, Provincial GBViE action plans, and a comprehensive GBV Administrative Data System. The network implemented standardized intake forms and quarterly reporting mechanisms, enabling evidence-based programming and policy decisions. Innovative strategies combining sports and faith platforms were implemented to transform harmful norms while improving service access. The systematic collection of multi-level disaggregated data through the formal Data Management Protocol has been crucial for identifying service gaps and barriers faced by marginalized women. The initiatives consistently applied human rights-based approaches, ensuring equal rights and opportunities while addressing specific needs of marginalized groups. The principle of leaving no one behind was embedded throughout, with services extending to remote areas and addressing diverse population needs. Civil society organizations actively shaped policy development and service coordination, influencing both the SAFENET referral system and provincial-level GBViE implementation. Meaningful participation was fostered through structured engagement of both rights holders and duty bearers in program development and implementation. Protection and safety remained paramount, with enhanced protocols for survivor support and confidential service delivery. Gender-responsiveness was strengthened through improved analysis, mainstreaming, and service delivery adaptations. This transformative approach has created more resilient and inclusive service delivery systems, particularly benefiting those most vulnerable during emergencies. The combination of sports-based initiatives, strengthened emergency response capabilities, and enhanced coordination mechanisms ensures sustainable improvements in service accessibility and quality. The executing partners formed a comprehensive network operating under clear roles and responsibilities. The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs provided overall coordination and leadership, while UN Women offered technical and financial support. Key service providers included the Solomon Islands Football Federation, Oceania Football Confederation, No2ndPlace, Seif Ples, Family Support Centre, Malaita Christian Care Centre, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, Public Solicitor's Office, Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, HOPE Trust, and various provincial government departments. Each partner contributed specialized expertise and service delivery capacity while maintaining coordinated data collection and analysis for continued service improvement.

By 2027, more people, particularly those at risk of being left behind, benefit from more equitable access to resilient, and gender-responsive, quality basic services, food security/nutrition and social protection systems. [PCF Strategic Priority 2: People]

This outcome is on track. Women and girls in the Solomon Islands benefited from improved access to quality services addressing gender-based violence, through reinforced capacities of institutions, enhanced cooperative initiatives, and increased community participation. This was evidenced by two capacity assessments which were conducted with Honiara SAFENET members which indicated a 19 percent increase in the overall technical capacity of SAFENET members. Members capacity was highest in having a common understanding about SAFENET’s mission and GBV followed by good understanding of referral systems in place data systems for data collection in place. This increased quality was also supported by the implementation of key initiatives such as the Solomon Islands SAFENET Guidebook, Domestic Violence (DV ) counselling guidelines, and the Family Support Centre (FSC ) Supervision Guidelines advanced the standardization and quality of Gender Based Violence (GBV) response services. The Solomon Islands SAFENET is a referral network made up of organisations (government ministries and NGOs) that provide essential services to victims/survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. SAFENET's Role in Data Management SAFENET's commitment to ethical data management has strengthened trust and coordination among GBV service providers, enhancing decision-making and policy development. The establishment and adherence to the SAFENET Data Management Protocol underscored a commitment to ethical and responsible data handling, promoting privacy, trust, and coordination among service providers. The protocol’s emphasis on sharing and utilizing anonymous, aggregated data facilitated informed decision-making and policy development, demonstrating the critical role of data in enhancing GBV response services. UN Women funded the consultant who provide the analysis and review of the Solomon Islands GBV Administration Data, and who supported the development of the new forms, tools and systems as well as GBV admin data training sessions. Enhanced Institutional Capacities and Service Quality The SAFENET Guidebook implementation ensured the adherence to standards across organizations involved in addressing GBV , fostering a consistent and effective approach to supporting survivors. UN Women staff attended and assisted with these meetings providing technical support. The accreditation of eight GBV counsellors following the DV counselling guidelines training marked a significant improvement in the quality of counselling services and adherence to national standards. UN Women provided essential technical support in GBV counselling training and assisted the government in assessing the technical skills of the GBV counsellors, determining their eligibility for accreditation. Furthermore, the implementation of the FSC Supervision Guidelines through monitoring and refresher training enhanced the overall GBV service delivery and supervision quality. Integration of Service Referral Pathways SAFENET's decision to integrate standard service referral pathways with those for human trafficking has streamlined support for survivors, ensuring cohesive and comprehensive care. This approach, facilitated by the inclusion of the Immigration Department in SAFENET, underscores a unified and effective response system for all survivors of violence. The Immigration Department, a new SAFENET member focusing on human trafficking, explored the integration of SAFENET referral pathway with the human trafficking referral pathway. This consolidation avoids confusion caused by having two separate referral systems. This approach ensures that services provided to trafficked women and girls are cohesive, working in a ‘do no harm’ manner and promoting a comprehensive and unified support system. Sub-national Mechanisms for Enhanced Safety The establishment of sub-national mechanisms, such as the Honiara and Guadalcanal Protection Committees, and the training provided to their members, reflected a proactive approach to ensuring safer responses during national emergencies and disasters. The GBV in Emergencies Subcommittee comprises all SAFENET members. The training aimed to enhance their capacity to respond effectively during emergencies. The focus was on reviewing their referral pathways to ensure their robustness in emergency situations. Additionally, the data system was thoroughly reviewed to ensure its effectiveness in emergencies. The training included preparations for response plans that might be necessary during the Games, ensuring that the committees were well-equipped to handle any emergencies that could arise during the event. During the GBViE Training from 16-19 October 2023, there was a notable improvement in participants' understanding of GBV topics, with knowledge on the definition of Gender Based Violence increasing from 60 percent to 80 percent and understanding of its root cause growing from 40 percent to 85 percent. Awareness of SAFENET rose from 85 percent to 95 percent, knowledge of at least one GBV rapid assessment tool improved from 40 percent to 70 percent and understanding of sexual exploitation increased from 40 percent to 80 percent. In the subsequent session from 23-26 October 2023, similar gains were observed: comprehension of Gender Based Violence rose from 40 percent to 75 percent, insight into its root cause increased from 35% to 80%, familiarity with SAFENET grew from 65 percent to 90 percent, knowledge of a GBV rapid assessment tool went from 25 percent to 65 percent and understanding of sexual exploitation improved from 25 percent to 70 percent. UN Women provided financial and technical support towards both training events, including facilitating at sessions. Regional Collaboration The Directors of Women Learning Exchange, a platform for professionals across the Pacific working in GBV services, supported and grew regional collaboration and learning, showcasing the Solomon Islands’ commitment to not only addressing GBV within its borders but also contributing to regional efforts. The active participation of new SAFENET members in training and support sessions underscored the network's dedication to expanding its reach and enhancing the capabilities of its members. UN Women funded and supported the facilitation and logistics for this event. Response and Readiness During the 2023 Pacific Games The strategic actions of SAFENET during the Sol2023 Pacific Games showcased an advanced institutional response and community protection against GBV. The network's preparedness provided immediate support to participants and attendees, marking a significant improvement in rapid response and service accessibility. Acknowledging the increased risk of GBV due to the substantial gathering, SAFENET 's strategic presence and comprehensive planning ensured that participants and attendees had immediate access to support services, underlining a performance change in rapid response and service delivery. The establishment of the SAFENET stall within the Games village, coupled with the effective distribution of informational materials, exemplified a proactive and preventive approach to GBV . This initiative not only provided immediate assistance and awareness but also underscored SAFENET 's commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment during large-scale events, marking a significant shift towards more resilient and responsive GBV service structures in the Solomon Islands. The ToC and strategy remain unchanged for 2024. In summary, the year's achievements in the Solomon Islands represent a comprehensive and coordinated effort to combat GBV , strengthen institutional capacities, foster collaboration, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, survivor-centred services. These efforts not only reflect a commitment to addressing immediate needs but also demonstrate a strategic vision for long-term improvement and regional influence in the progress to end GBV .