Woman laws at Solomon Islands
In the Solomon Islands, women’s rights and legal protections have been improving over the years, but challenges still remain due to cultural norms, limited access to justice, and enforcement issues. Here's an overview of key laws and legal frameworks affecting women in the Solomon Islands:
🔹 1. Constitutional Rights
The Constitution of the Solomon Islands (1978) provides equality before the law, but it does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender.
Customary law is recognized and sometimes overrides statutory law, which can disadvantage women.
🔹 2. Family and Marriage Law
The minimum legal age for marriage is 18 for males and 16 for females, but early marriages are still reported, especially in rural areas.
Customary marriages are common and can lack formal legal protection for women, especially in divorce or inheritance matters.
🔹 3. Domestic Violence
The Family Protection Act (2014) criminalizes domestic violence, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse.
It allows women to seek Protection Orders through the courts.
Enforcement remains a challenge due to stigma, limited awareness, and rural accessibility.
🔹 4. Sexual Offenses
The Penal Code criminalizes rape and other forms of sexual violence.
The Criminal Law (Sexual Offenses) Amendment Act 2016 strengthened legal provisions around consent, child protection, and harsher penalties for sexual violence.
🔹 5. Employment and Labor Rights
There is no specific law guaranteeing equal pay for equal work between men and women.
Maternity leave provisions exist (12 weeks), but enforcement and coverage are not universal, especially in the informal sector.
🔹 6. Land and Property Rights
Women face limited land ownership rights, especially under customary land tenure systems.
In many regions, women cannot inherit or own land independently.
🔹 7. Political Participation
Women are underrepresented in political and leadership roles.
No legal quotas exist for women in parliament or other decision-making bodies.
🔹 8. Support and Advocacy
Organizations like the Family Support Centre (FSC) and international NGOs work to provide legal aid, counseling, and advocacy for women’s rights.
The Solomon Islands is a signatory to CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), though implementation is ongoing.
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