Solomon Islands Prime Minister and Forum Chair Jeremiah Manele has told the United Nations that while the Pacific has made progress on gender equality since the Beijing Platform for Action, much more needs to be done to elevate women in leadership and decision-making roles.
“As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the Pacific also celebrates its leadership legacy. A year before Beijing, the region launched the Pacific Platform for Action boldly placing gender equality at the heart of our regional agenda,” Manele said at the High-Level Meeting of the 80th General Assembly.
He said Pacific women and girls are driving progress in education, health, and economic participation, with reproductive health programmes such as HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening advancing across the region.
“While challenges remain, the resilience of Pacific women and girls is driving real progress – more girls are completing school, women are accessing economic opportunities and health system are being improved. Reproductive health including Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical cancer screening is progressing. Across the region, gender equality is increasingly reflected in national reports and budgets. Women’s leadership role across sectors is increasing. However, more needs to be done to elevate women in politics and decision-making roles,” he said.
Manele announced that Forum members are working to establish a Regional Gender Equality Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Plan to close data gaps, guide action, and ensure no one is left behind.
He also highlighted new challenges, including technology-facilitated abuse.
“New forms of violence, including tech-facilitated abuse is already stretching our capacity to respond meaningfully. Bold partnership is needed to address this growing issue,” he said.
The Forum is also reviewing its disability framework to make spaces more inclusive.
“As one Blue Pacific Continent we stand united to reaffirm our promise: that women and girls in our region can live in peace, security, and dignity. Women’s role in Peace and Security is critical to be align with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, underpinned by the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration,” he said.
Speaking in his national capacity, Manele detailed Solomon Islands’ efforts to expand education and health services for women and girls, including second-chance university programmes for young mothers, nationwide distribution of reusable menstrual pads, removal of taxes on sanitary products, and expanded professional support for childbirth.
“I am pleased to announce that nine out of ten births in Solomon Islands are attended to by skilled professionals. We have distributed reusable menstrual pads to schoolgirls in the provinces as part of our Health Programme, rolled out vaccinations for girls to prevent cervical cancer, and removed duty and goods tax on menstrual sanitary products,” Manele said.
He added that the government is prioritising laws and policies to combat gender-based violence and is supporting women’s economic empowerment through financial literacy training and savings clubs in rural communities.
“In closing Pacific region remain steadfast in our commitment to multilateralism, the Beijing Plan of Action and will continue to place gender equality central to every decision we take in shaping our future,” Manele said.
