table of contents - world bank€¦ · social inclusion in governance and conflict management 2 3....

GENDERANDSOCIALINCLUSIONSTRATEGYFORTHECOMMUNITYGRIEVANCE&GOVERNANCEMANAGEMENTPROJECT

MargaretWete,thefirstfemaleCommunityOfficer(knownlocallyasPeaceWardens)inMakira

TableofContents

1. Introduction 1

2. Context 2

Socialinclusioningovernanceandconflictmanagement 2

3. GenderandSocialInclusionStrategy 8AddressingbarrierstoaccessanduseoftheCGGMP 8Increasingwomen’sleadershipwithinCGGMP 16

4. Projectcontactinformation 20

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Gender&SocialInclusionStrategyCGGMP/MPGIS.FinalReport.2017 1

GENDERANDSOCIALINCLUSIONSTRATEGYFORTHECOMMUNITYGRIEVANCE&GOVERNANCEMANAGEMENTPROJECT

1. Introduction

ThisstrategywaspreparedfortheCommunityGovernanceandGrievanceManagementProject(CGGMP)whichaimstostrengthencommunitygrievancemanagementcapabilitiesandenhancetheeffectivenessoflinkageswithgovernmentintargetedcommunities.TheprojectisadministeredbytheMinistryofProvincialGovernmentandInstitutionalStrengthening(MPGIS)andworkswithparticipatingprovincialgovernments1tofulfillkeyresponsibilitiesassociatedwiththeselection,contracting,coordination,reporting,performancemanagementandsupervisionofCommunityOfficers(COs).CommunityOfficers(knownasPeaceWardensinMakira)worktohelpcommunitiestosolveproblemsrelatedtosocialdisorderandconflictsthemselvesandgethelpfromgovernmentwhentheyneedto.TheaimoftheirworkistosupportleaderstoaddressdisputesandtobuildrelationshipsandlinksbetweencommunitiesandthePolice,ProvincialGovernmentandtheSolomonIslandsGovernment.ThisGenderandSocialInclusionStrategywasdevelopedoverthemonthsofMay-June2017followingaconsultativeprocesswithCommunityOfficersandleadersinthecommunitiesinwhichtheywork,projectstaffandgovernmentstakeholders.2ThestrategywasalsodiscussedatseparatemeetingsoftheProjectSteeringCommittee,ProjectManagementUnitanddevelopmentagenciesworkingonrelatedissues(particularlyyouth,womenandgender-basedviolence).TherewasalsoliaisonwiththeMinistryofWomen,Youth,ChildrenandFamilyAffairstoensurethisstrategyiscompatiblewithnational-levelpolicies,inparticulartherecentlylaunchedWomen,PeaceandSecurityNationalActionPlan(seeBox1).TheupcomingNationalYouthPolicy2017-2030alsoincludesapolicypriorityarea“PeaceBuildingSecurityandCitizenship”whichisrelevanttothisstrategyandincludesyouthinvolvementinstrengtheninglocalmechanismsto

1AtJune2017,MakiraandRennell-BellonaProvincewereparticipatingintheprojectwithplannedexpansiontoMalaitaandGuadalcanalProvinces.2Kindthanksaregiventostaffatallorganisationswhoprovidedinterviewsandcommentsonthestrategy:MinistryofProvincialGovernmentandInstitutionalStrengthening,WorldBank,MinistryofWomen,Children,YouthandFamilyAffairs,RoyalSolomonIslandsPoliceForce,MinistryofJustice,RenbelProvincialGovernment,MakiraUlawaProvincialGovernment,CommunityOfficersandProjectManagementStaff,DepartmentofForeignAffairsandTrade(Australia),SavetheChildrenAustralia,WorldVision,RenbelCouncilofWomen,Makira-UlawaCouncilofWomen.Disabilityandyouthleaders,chiefs,churchleaders,schoolprincipalsandwomenleaderswerealsoconsultedaspartofthisstudy.

BOX1:Women,PeaceandSecurityNationalActionPlan2017-2021&CGGMProjectThisnational-levelplan,launchedin2017,isstructuredaroundUnitedNationsSecurityCouncilResolution1325andisdesignedtoaddressthelackofparticipationofwomeninofficialpeaceprocesses,securityandrelateddecision-making.Severaloftheplan’sactionsrelatetotheCommunityGovernanceandGrievanceManagementProject’sworkparticularlyactionsto:*buildcapacityandallocateresourcesinconflictprevention&peacebuildingprocesses(Actions1.1.d,3.2.a)*formalizeandresourcewomen’sengagementincommunity,provincialandnationalpeacebuildingactivities(Action4.1.b)*buildruralwomen’scapacitytoengageincommunityconflictmanagement(Action4.1.c)*cementequitableprocesses(Actions4.2.a,4.2.b.4.2.c)ThisgenderandsocialinclusionstrategyisanactionofMPGIStofulfilobligationsunderAction4.2.bwhichencouragesgovernmenttoreviewprojectsto“assesstheextentthattheydeliverequitablebenefitstowomenandmen’speacebuildingandreconciliationpriorities,andthatprogramapproachesactivelychallengeandtransformdiscriminatoryattitudesandgendernorms”.


preventconflictandhelpre-integrateyoungpeoplewhomayhaveviolatedthelawintocommunitylife.3DrAnoukRide,researchconsultant,formulatedtheinitialanalysisanddraftwhichwasfurtherrefinedbyprojectmanagementandcross-checkingwithkeyinformantsinthevariousgovernmentministries.Strategyactionswerefurtherprioritisedbyprojectstaff,withimmediateactionsidentifiedbytimingandsomeactionsintegratedintoprojectactivitiesidentifiedasongoing.Activitiesundertakentoadvancestrategyactionswillbefurtherdetailedinthethree-monthprojectplansandregularreportingtotheProjectSteeringCommittee.Usingthegenerallyacceptedconceptinthedevelopmentsectorthatgenderisasocialconstruct,theanalysisusedtoformthisstrategyexamineshowgenderrolesindifferentcommunitiesandculturalsettingssupportorobstructinvolvementofwomen,men,femaleandmaleyouthinconflictresolution.Genderisunderstoodassocial,behaviouralandculturalattributesexpectationsandnormsassociatedwithbeingmaleorfemale.However,consideringgenderaloneasabarriertoparticipationinconflictresolutioncanmaskothersocialdisadvantage-whichintheSolomonIslandscontextcanincludeage(youthbeingmarginalizedfromdecisionmaking),disabilityandotherfactorsspecifictocertainlocations(suchasethnicminorities).Therefore,theprojectaddressesgendertakingamoreanintersectionalapproachtoconsiderhowgenderalsorelatestoage,ethnicity,disabilityandothercharacteristics.Women,youthandpeoplewithdisabilitiesfaceexclusionfromdecision-makingprocessesinSolomonIslandsduetoarangeofcolonialandpost-colonial,culturalandcircumstantialfactors,asdiscussedinSection2:Contextsectionofthisdocument.Thisstrategyisdesignedtoaddressproblemsthathavearisenfromthisexclusion–oneisthatthesegroupsarelesslikelytoaccessanduseservicesarounddisputeresolutionandgovernance(whichislargelyseenasasphereforseniormalestomakedecisions).Anotheristhatsomeissuesadverselyaffectwomenandchildren,suchasgender-basedviolence,whichalsoneedsspecificresponsesforvictims,sotheytoocanaccessappropriatesupport.InSection3,subsectionentitledAddressingbarrierstoaccessanduseoftheCGGMPanalysisidentifieslocalways,institutionsandprocessesthatcanbeusedtoencourageuseoftheprojectbyallgroupsinsociety.Anotherkeyproblemthisprojectdealswithisthedominanceofoldermeninofficialleadershiproles.InthesubsectionentitledIncreasingwomen’sleadership[withinCGGMPaspecificanalysisisprovidedofgenderandleadershiptohighlightwaysinwhichcommunitiescanbeencouragedtonominate,electandsupportwomentobeCommunityOfficers(recognizingthatchangestowardsgenderequityfortheseofficersisalsolikelytopavethewayformoreyouthparticipationandleadership,ashighlightedinthediscussionbelow).Whilethisstrategyisdesignedtofostermoresocialinclusion,particularlytheparticipationofwomenandyouth,theconsultativenatureofthestrategyprocessattemptstoworkwithpositivetraditions,changesandideaswithinkeyactorsandcommunities,toexerciseculturalsensitivityandensurelocalownershipofthestrategygoalsandapproaches.TheCGGMPworkswithlocalstrengths,particularlylocalleadership,toadvancechangethroughprovidinginclusivespacestodiscussconflictissuesandresolutionstrategies,tonominateandelectcommunityleaderstocoordinateresponsestotheseissuesandtolinkcommunitieswithgovernmentandservices.Usingthistheoryofchange,thisstrategythenmakessuretheneedsofyouthandwomenare

3Thispolicyistobelaunchedin2017.


recognisedinthesekeyfunctionsoftheproject,thatprocessesaroundthesefunctionsareinclusive,andthatlocalsupportforwomen’sleadershipcanbeconsolidatedthroughprojectactivities.Keychangesprecipitatedbythisstrategyweremorerecordingofdiversityinlogbookandprojectdata,changestotrainingmaterialstoidentifyandworkwithdisadvantage,providingmorespacesforwomentotalkaboutgenderbasedviolence,andgreatercoordinationbetweentheprojectandprovincialandnationallevelservicesandsupports.TheintentisthisstrategywillinformprojectactionsforthecurrentphaseoftheprojectinMakiraandRennell-BellonaanditsplannedexpansionintoGuadalcanalandMalaitaprovinces.Thefollowingdocumentincludesananalysisofgenderandsocialinclusionasitrelatestotheproject,thendetailsobjectives,approaches,andactionsforthestrategy.

2. ContextSocialinclusioningovernanceandconflictmanagementWomen’sroleinpeacebuildinginSolomonIslandsisdemonstratedthroughmanylocalculturaltraditionsofwomenadvisingmenagainstviolenceandinterventioninarmedconflictandtheexperienceofwomen’sactivismforpeaceduringthecivilconflictfrom1998-2003(knownasthe“tensions”).Forinstance,PollardhasdescribedhowAreArewomeninMalaitauseculturaltaboosaroundthefemalebodyandfemalereproductiontostopfighting,apracticealsoobservedinseveralotherMalaitan,GuadalcanalandMakiransocietiesinthepast.4InthePacificcontext,femalepeaceactivistsestablish‘entitlements’throughchurchandculturetoactaspeacebuilders5(theChurchopeningupspaceforruralwomeninSolomonIslandstoorganizeandbeinvolvedinkeydecisions)6.Churchwomen,marketsellerwomen,andvariouswomengroupedundertheWomenforPeaceassociationactedasmediators,advocatesforpeaceandorganisersofsafespacesinplaceswitharmedconflictduringthetensions.However,thesetraditionsandrecentexperienceofwomenaspeacemakershasnottranslatedintoequitableparticipationingovernanceandconflictmanagementinthepost-conflictperiod(2003-present).InSolomonIslands,womenaredramaticallyunder-representedindecisionmakingbodies,fromlocalvillage-basedcommitteestoprovincialgovernmentsandParliament(in2017onlyoneMemberofParliamentisfemale)andthishasrestrictedtheparticipationofwomeninpolicing,securityandconflictresolution.Thisdisadvantagehasarisenfromacomplexsetoffactorsincludinglocalculturaltraditionswhichrelegatedtheroleofwomentothedomesticsphere,compoundedbytheexperienceofcolonializationanditspromotionofmalesratherthanfemalesintoleadershipingovernment,police,commerceandchurchreligion,currenttrendstopreferencenaturalresourceextractionastheprimarydriverofdevelopmentandmalecontrolofdecisionsaroundland7,andwomen’slackofrealeconomicandpoliticalpowertoengageinSolomonpoliticalcontests.84AlicePollard,Giversofwisdom,labourerswithoutgain:EssaysonwomenintheSolomonIslands(Suva,InstituteofPacificStudies/UniversityoftheSouthPacific,2000).5NicoleGeorge,“InstitutionalisingWomen,PeaceandSecurityinthePacificIslands:Genderingthe‘architectureofentitlements’?”InternationalPoliticalScienceReviewVol.37:3(2016):375–3896DebraMcDougall,“FellowshipandCitizenshipasModelsofNationalCommunity:UnitedChurchWomen'sFellowshipinRanongga,SolomonIslands”OceaniaVol.74:2(Sep-Dec2003):61-80.7MatthewAllen,SinclairDinnen,DanielEvansandRebeccaMonson,JusticeDeliveredLocally:Systems,Challenges,andInnovationsinSolomonIslands(Washington,DC:WorldBank,JusticeforthePoorResearchReport,August2013):21.8SolomonIslandselectionsaretypicallymarkedbycashpayoutsor“gifts”toelectors,coalitionsofpowerfulpoliticalandeconomicintereststoformamajoritygovernmentandelectors’preferenceforcandidatesthathaveproventangiblematerialbenefitto


AshighlightedintherecentlylaunchedSolomonIslandsWomen,PeaceandSecurityNationalActionPlan2017-2021,thestructureofpeacebuildingadoptedbySolomonIslandsGovernmentandtheRegionalAssistanceMissiontoSolomonIslandsalsodisadvantagedwomen.Formermilitantsandpoliticalleadersweregivenpreferenceindesigningpeaceagreementsandimplementationofearlypost-conflictmeasures,withRAMSIonlyrecognisinggenderasacross-cuttingthemetoitsPartnershipFrameworkin2009andtakingspecificactionstoincreasewomen’sparticipationingovernmentandpolicelateinitsintervention.9WhileRAMSI’spresenceandtheendofarmedconflictallowedeconomicactivitytorisesince2003,thepredominanceofnaturalresourceextractionasadriverfordevelopmenthasundercutwomen’sparticipationindecision-makinginruralareas.Whilesubsistenceandsmallscaleagriculture,themainstayofSolomonIslands,ismorecommunallyorganizedwithwomenplayingkeyroles,accessarrangementsforlandforminingandlogginghasbeencontrolledbymen.Maetala10describeshowinMakiramatrilinealsocietiesusurpationofgenealogicalknowledgebymenisusedtoestablishgroupidentitiesandlandownership,thusplacingthemattheforefrontofdecision-makingaboutlandandroyaltypayments.WhileMakirancustomhasbeendescribedas“followingthewayofthewoman”11meaningtobenurturingandhospitable,thisisunderconsiderablestrainwithpoweraccordedtopeoplewhocontrolandfacilitateaccesstoruralareasfornaturalresourceextractionandtrade(includingarecentboominestablishmentofbottleshopsandsalesofSolbrew,abrandoflocally-producedalcoholownedbyHeineken).InthecaseofRennell-Bellona,patrilineallandownershipwascompoundedbytraditionalbeliefsthatwomenwereamongthesocialgroupsconsiderednotfitforseniorleadershiproles.12EffectsoftheseculturalbarriershavebeencarriedoverintosocietyaftertheintroductionofChristianitywithfewwomeninvillageandprovinciallevelpositionsofofficeorleadership.Plus,therapidpaceofminingandloggingrecentlyhasoftenseenmenprofitfromdealsandbemoreabletoleaveRennellwhilewomenaremorelikelytostayintheprovinceandsufferdisproportionatelytheeffectsofenvironmentaldamage,sexualexploitationbyvisitingcrew,violenceanddiversionofincomeinfamilyfollowingincreasedmaleaccesstoanduseofalcohol,andreductionsinlivelihoodandsubsistenceopportunities.WomenaretheprimarycaregiversinSolomonIslands,andinruralareasareusuallyresponsiblefortendingtogardensthatsupplythefamily’sfood.Theseresponsibilitiesconstraintimetheyhaveavailabletoparticipateineducationalopportunitiesanddecision-makingforums,whichisparticularlynotableforwomenwhoarepoorandhavemanychildren(seeBox2).Nationally,thepooresthouseholdsareruralhouseholdswithoutanymalemembers–typicallyafemalelivingcommunities.Men,particularlythosethathavealreadycapturedgovernmentresourcesandnaturalresourcerents,areadvantagedduetotheseelectoraldynamics.See:KiriDicker,AfuBilly&AlisonBarclay,TheInfluenceofGenderNormsandAttitudesonVoterPreferencesinSolomonIslands(Suva:UNWomenFijiMulti-CountryOffice,2016)9SolomonIslandsWomenPeaceandSecurityNationalActionPlan2017-2021(Honiara:MinistryofWomen,Youth,ChildrenandFamilyAffairs,2017):19.AninstanceofthelackofparticipationinthestructuredetailedinthePlanwasanestimateonly9%ofclaimantswhoreceivedcompensationinthepost-conflictyearswerewomen,despitedocumentedimpactsoftheviolenceonwomenincludingdisplacement,sexualandphysicalviolenceandinsecurity.10RuthMaetala,“WomenandNaturalResourceDevelopmentinSolomonIslands:AnInsiderView.”eJournaloftheAustralianAssociationfortheAdvancementofPacificStudiesIssue1.2(April2010):40.11MichaelW.Scott“TheMatterofMakira:Colonialism,Competition,andtheProductionofGenderedPeoplesinContemporarySolomonIslandsandMedievalBritain”,HistoryandAnthropology,Vol.23No.1(2012):115-14812Foratheoryabouthowtraditionalbeliefsinskygodsunderminedwomen’sstatusinBellonabyundervaluingwomen’sroleinreproductionandgenealogyofthetribe,seeRolfKuschel,“TheBelloneseattitudetowardsnature”inThomasBargatzy&RolfKuscheleds.TheInventionofNature(1994).


withchildren,andsoruralwomenlivingwithoutpartnersaremorelikelytoexperienceextremepoverty.Peoplewithdisabilitiesalsoarelesslikelytoparticipateineconomicandpoliticalactivities.InMakiraandIsabelprovinces1in5peoplearereportedtohaveadisability.16InprovinceslikeRennell-BellonawhichhavehighratesofmigrationtoHoniara,peoplewithdisabilitiesareoften“leftbehind”forcareinthevillages,underthecareofwomen.Womenwithdisabilitiesareparticularlyvulnerabletosexualandphysicalviolence17,andrelativelylittleattentionhasbeenpaidtounderstandingbarriersandincreasingparticipationofwomenwithdisabilitiesindecision-making.ThelackofrecognitionofSolomonwomen’sleadership–in,forexampleinsubsistenceagricultureandtrade,handicraftsandotherculturalproducts,churchorganizinggroups,civilsocietyorganisationsandeconomicsectorssuchasthemediaandretail–helpscementhistoricalbarrierstowomenindecisionmakingforums.ThislackofsocialexperienceofwomenasleadersinSolomonpoliticalsystemsisacriticalbarriertowomeninleadership–forexamplestatisticalevidenceindicatesmonarchiesinwhichwomencanbequeenarethetypeofgovernmentinstitutionswhichmostenhancewomen’selectiontonationallegislatures.18TheinclusionofwomenaschiefsinIsabelhistoricallyhasalsolikelycontributedtomorewomeninIsabelpoliticalsystemstoday.In2017therewerejust5provincialassemblyfemalemembers,twofromIsabelwhichismatrilinealandhasfemalechiefs(andoneeachinMalaita,WesternProvinceandTemotu).

Althougheducationhasthepotentialtoincreasewomen’schancesofparticipationindecision-making,thereislikelytobealonglagbetweenrecentimprovementsinincreasingSolomongirls’accesstoprimaryandsecondaryschooleducationandtranslatingthisintoincreasingnumbersofwomeninpositionsofinfluence.Educationcanincreasesociety’sexperienceofwomeninleadership,femaleteachersdemonstratingwomeninaleadershiproleinformativeyears,

13NationalStatisticsOffice,PopulationandHousingCensusGenderReport.(Honiara:SolomonIslandsGovernment,2009):24.14Op.cit.36.15InconsultationsinRennell-Bellonawithwomenandyouth,thelowstatusofyoungwomenplusthelackofknowledgeaboutsexualhealthandfamilyplanningandaccesstoserviceswasattributedascausestohighratesofteenagepregnancy,and“mining/loggingbabies”whichisreportedlyontherise.16NationalStatisticsOffice,PopulationandHousingCensusGenderReport,45.17OnestudyofKiribati,SolomonIslandsandTongastatesthatwomenandgirlswithdisabilitiesaretwotothreetimesmorelikelytobevictimsofphysicalandsexualabusethanthosewithoutadisability.See:J.Spratt,ADeeperSilence–TheUnheardExperiencesofWomenwithDisabilities–SexualandReproductiveHealthandViolenceagainstwomeninKiribati,SolomonIslandsandTonga(Suva,Fiji:UNFPAPacificSub-regionalOffice,2013).18Aninternationalstudyfoundthe“meanpercentageofwomenelectedtonationalofficefornationsthathavehighelectoralcompetitionbutnomonarchyopentowomenisonly12.56,whilethemeanpercentagefornationsthathavebothsoarsto28.06”.SeeEileenMcDonagh,“PoliticalCitizenshipandDemocratization:theGenderParadox”,AmericanPoliticalScienceReviewVol.96,No.3(September2002):540.

BOX2:Barrierstoparticipation–aprovincialsnapshot

WhileallprovincesinSolomonIslandshavesimilardisadvantagesofwomen,insomeprovinces,thelevelsofdisadvantageareparticularlypronounced.

Rennell-BellonaProvincehasthehighestratioofdependents(100dependentsper100peopleofworkingage)13withthewomenbearingthebulkofresponsibilityforcareoftheelderly,childrenandyouth.MalaitaProvinceisanotherthathashighnumbersofdependents(96per100people)withwomenresponsibleforthebulkofcaregivingandsolimitedtimetoparticipateindecision-makingforums.Bothprovincesalsohavethehighestfertilityrates-Rennell-Bellona(5.9childrenperwomanonaverage),Malaita(5.6)14whichhasbeenattributedtobothculturalfactorsandthelackoflocallyavailableservicessuchasfamilyplanningandhealth.15Thesefactorsalsoinfluenceeducationlevels–particularlyofwomenandgirls–withtheMalaitapopulationhavingthelowesteducationlevelofallprovincesandRennell-Bellonahavingthelargestgapbetweeneducationofmenandwomen(33%ofmenhavesomesecondaryschooleducationorhighercomparedto19%ofwomen).


howeverfemaleleadershipintheeducationsectorinSolomonIslandsisalsoverylowwithonly3%ofschoolprincipalsbeingfemale.19

Manyofthebarrierswomenfacetoparticipationindecision-making–inparticularculturalnormsofsubservienceandlackofpoliticalandeconomicresources–aresharedbyyouth20.WhileyouthmakesupasignificantandgrowingpartofthepopulationofSolomonIslands–sevenoutof10SolomonIslandersareunder30yearsold21–theyarealmostnon-existentinpositionsofpoliticalofficeandfacesignificantbarrierstoemploymentandeconomicparticipation.Therearegenderdifferenceinthesebarriers,particularlyinruralareaswhereyoungwomenaremorelikelytonominate“literacy”asaneducationalneedwhereasyoungmenaremorelikelytonominate“livelihoods”trainingandeducation.22 Inthepast,aimlessmaleyouthwerepronetorecruitmentformilitantorcriminalgroups(aswasexperiencedduringthetensions).Unrestaroundelectoralcampaigns,notablyin2006,havealsoinvolvedlargecohortsofyouth.While“waywardyouth”areoftenblamedforthesesortsofdisturbancestheyaremostlyledorsanctionedbyinfluentialadultmales.However,currentlyunemploymentandexclusionfromeconomicandpoliticalactivitiesisanunderlyingcauseofhighlevelsofmaleyouthinvolvementinalcoholandsubstanceabuseandrelatedpublicdisturbances.

AshighlightedinJusticeDeliveredLocally,areportonlocalconflictsandtheirmanagement,theinvolvementofyouthinalcoholandsubstanceabuseandrelatedanti-socialbehaviorandviolenceisacriticalfactorinlocal-levelconflictandviolenceinthemajorityofcommunitiesinSolomonIslands.Thereport’sauthorscommented:“TheimpactofconsumptiononyouthisparticularlyalarmingandrendersSolomonIslandsatriskofproducinglargesegmentsoffuturegenerationswhoareunproductiveandplaguedbymentalandgeneralhealthproblems.”23AshighlightedbyJourdan,24lowself-esteemofyouth,linkedtotheirlackofproductiveroles,hasasignificanteffectonmentalhealthandabilityofyouthtoparticipateintheeconomy,politicsandsociety.Theabilityoflocalconflictresolutionactors,particularlychiefandchurchleaders,toengageandberelevanttoyouthisessentialtocontrolalcohol/substanceabuseandrelateddisturbances.

Alcohol/substanceabuseandgender-basedviolence(GBV)arecrosscuttingissuesthatcontributestopoorhealth,lowersparticipationofdisadvantagedgroupsincommunityandnationallifeandcreatesviolentdynamicsincommunities.Inaparticipatorystudy,“alcohol,marijuanaandteenagepregnancywerealmostubiquitousissuesforyoungwomen”andalcoholwasinthetopthreeissuesofconcerntoyoungmen.25ConsultationsinMakiraandRennellindicatewomenaremorelikelytosupportrestrictionofalcoholsalesandconsumption,perhapsreflectingthecorrelationsbetweenmaleconsumptionofalcoholandreducedfamilyincomeandviolenceagainstwomen.Youthinconsultationsaremorelikelytoidentifytheneedfordiversionaryandpreventionactivitiesregardingalcoholandviolence,specificallysports,music

19LaisaElishaandFrancesEdwards,“Exploringteachers’perceptionsofwomenprincipalsintheSolomonIslands”WaikatoJournalofEducationVol.19,Issue1(2014):71-81.20Forthepurposesofthisreport,thedefinitionusedbyMWYCFAandNationalYouthPolicyofyouthbeingpeopleagedbetween15-29yearsisused,howeveritisnotedthatdifferentorganisationsusedifferingdefinitionsofyouthandfurtherstandardisationofdefinitionsindatacollectionsisneeded.21NationalStatisticsOfficeReporton2009PopulationandHousingCensusBasicTablesandCensusDescription(Volume1)(Honiara:SolomonIslandsGovernment,2009).22IanScales,AReportonYouthinSolomonIslands:AParticipatoryStudyofIssues,NeedsandPriorities(Canberra:AusAID,2003).23Op.cit.Allenetal.15.24ChristineJourdan,YouthandmentalhealthinSolomonIslands:asituationanalysis:tingtinghelti,tingtingsiki!Suva,Fiji:FoundationofthePeoplesoftheSouthPacificInternational,2008)14.25IanScales,AReportonYouthinSolomonIslands,25.


andculturalactivitiesandlivelihoodprojectsaswellasawarenessandcommunity-basededucation.26

TheSolomonIslandsFamilyHealthandSafetySurvey,reportsnearlytwo-thirdsofSolomonIslandswomensurveyedreportedexperiencingphysicaland/orsexualabusefromanintimatepartnerintheirlifetime.Thesurveyindicatedintimatepartnerviolenceislargelyunrelatedtomostsocio-economicanddemographicindicators,suchasage,education,employment,incomeandmaritalstatusofwomen.Therearestrongcorrelationsbetweenexperienceofviolencebreedingfurtherviolencewithmenwhoareviolenttoothersaremorelikelytobeviolenttowardstheirwives,asarethosewhosawwomenandchildrenbeinghitorwerehitthemselveswhentheyweregrowingup.TheSolomonIslandsstudyalsofoundacorrelationbetweenmaleunemploymentandviolenceagainstwomenwithfocusgroupspointingtothefinancialstressorsonhouseholds,pluschanginggendernorms,creatingargumentsbetweencouples.27

Insomeareascommunityby-lawsinvolvingchiefsandchurchleadersarereducingalcoholandsubstanceabuseandviolence,withthesupportoftheRoyalSolomonIslandsPoliceForce,CommunityOfficersandvariousNGOS(SavetheChildren’sYouth&AlcoholProject,WorldVision’sChannelsofHopeProjectandOxfam’sSafeFamiliesProjectinparticular).CrimePreventionCommitteesestablishedunderRSIPF’sCrimePreventionStrategyareworkingtotryandpreventsuchconflictsatthelocallevelthroughby-laws,diversionaryandpreventionactivitiesandbettercoordinationbetweencommunityleaders.

Intermsofjustice,theSolomonIslandsGovernmentpassedtheFamilyProtectionActin2014,althoughthisdidnotenterintoforceuntilApril2016,andimplementationremainsatanearlystage.TheobjectivesoftheActare(a)toensurethesafetyandprotectionofallpersonswhoexperienceorwitnessdomesticviolence;(b)toprovidesupportandredressforallvictimsofdomesticviolence;(c)tofacilitateprogramsforvictimsofdomesticviolencetoassisttheirrecoveryandensurethattheyareabletoleadasafeandhealthylife;(d)tofacilitatetheissueandenforcementofpolicesafetynoticesandprotectionorderstostopdomesticviolence;(e)toimplementcertainprinciplesunderlyingtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenandtheConventionontheRightsoftheChild;and(f)tocreateoffencesinrelationtodomesticviolenceandprovideforincreasedsentencesforpersonsconvictedofsuchoffenceswherecertainaggravatingfactorsarepresent.DatafromCGGMPindicatesthatdespitethesenewlegalarrangements,andanincreasednumberofprojectsaimedatprovidingoptionsforwomenexperiencinggender-basedviolencetoseekhelp,mostGBVdisputesarehandledwithinthefamily,withchiefsandchurchbeingthefirstpointofcalliffurtherassistanceisrequired.28Reportingtopoliceisrare,andevenmorerareisforwomenandtheirfamiliestopursuecasestosentencingandprosecution,althoughnumbersofreportsandcasesareslowlyincreasing.Theconcentrationofservices(legal,refuge,counselling/mentalhealthandpolice)inHoniaraisasignificantobstacleforruralwomentoseekassistance.However,provincesaremakingtheirownarrangementstobettercoordinateassistanceforpeoplefacinggender-basedviolence–suchastheestablishedtripartitesystem

26AnoukRide,StatusofYouthinSolomonIslands(Honiara:UNDP,Forthcoming2017).27SecretariatofthePacificCommunity,SolomonIslandsFamilyHealthandSafetyStudy:astudyonviolenceagainstwomenandchildren.(Noumea:SPC,2009).28DougPorteret.alCommunityGovernance&GrievanceManagementProject(CGGM)Renbel&MakiraProvincesBaselineSurveyandSummaryAnalysis.(Honiara:WorldBankandMinistryofProvincialGovernment&InstitutionalStrengthening,2016).


(chiefs,church,governmentandpolice)inIsabelandtheProvincialAllianceforSafeFamiliesinMalaita.Relativelylittleisknownaboutwhetherthelackofengagementinservicesandhandlingofgender-basedviolencewithinthefamilyisperceivedassatisfactoryornotforthewomeninvolved.Insurveys,womenclearlynominatechurchandchiefsasbeingtheirpreferredsourcesofdisputeresolution(withregionalvariationsreflectingtherelationshipbetweenchiefsandcommunity,somecommunitieshavingconfidenceinchiefscomparedtootherswherethechiefsareseenasnoteffective).However,somelocalformsofsettlingGBVdisputes,suchasthepaymentofcompensationinMalaitamaybebetweenmalesanddorelativelylittletohelpthewomaninvolvedunlessthetransactionpromptsbehaviorchange.Similarly,thechurch’semphasisonforgivenessandcounselforfamiliestostaytogether,ifnotaccompaniedbymalebehaviorchange,maybolsterwomentostayinabusiverelationships.


3. GenderandSocialInclusionStrategyAddressingbarrierstoaccessanduseoftheCGGMPCurrentIssuesAspartofthebaselinesurveyforCGGMP,men,womenandyouthwereaskedtoidentifykindsofconflictintheircommunities.InRennell-Bellona,menweremorelikelytoreporttheft,politicaldisputesandviolencerelatingtopropertyandwomenmuchmorelikelytoreportloggingandmining.Thisprobablyreflectsthegenderrolesandbiasesregardingloggingandminingwheremencapturerentsandpaymentswhilewomenareadverselyaffectedbytheenvironmentalandsocialchangescausedbythesedevelopments.Similarly,inthreesurveyedwardsinMakira(closesttoprovincialcapitalKiraKira)womenweremorelikelytoreportdisputestheywereexcludedfrom-politicsandpublicfights–whilemenreportedmurder,propertyandland/ownershipdisputes.Youthinbothsitesreportedalcohol/substanceabuse,fightsandpoliticsasproblematicincommunities(maleyouthareinvolvedinalcohol/substanceabuseandthisoftenisaccompaniedbyfightsinpublic,whereaspoliticsisidentifiedasaprobleminwhichyouthparticipationisoftenlacking).GenderrelationsposessomechallengestowomenseekinghelpfromCommunityOfficers(COs).OneisthatmaleCOsmaybeintimidatingandseenasinapproachablewhereaswomenaremorelikelytobeknowntothemandtomakediscussionsmorecomfortable.Forgender-basedviolenceissues,itisdeemedsociallytabooforwomentalkaboutintimatesubjectswithanothermale,andthisisamajorbarriertobringingcasestoCOs’attention.However,arecentanalysisoflogbookdatafromDecember-March2016revealed3%ofcasesbroughttoCOsinRennell-Bellonaweredomesticviolenceand4%inMakira.PoliceinMakirareportedthenumberofwomenreportingGBVatpolicestationsisincreasingrapidly.Itwouldbeinterestingtoexaminewhytheseexceptionsareoccurring,andwhatcouldbedonetoencouragemorehelp-seeking.Forinstance,inBellonaandMakira,COsoftensaidpeopleclosetothecoupleinwhichtheviolencewasoccurringinitiallyreportedcases(ratherthantheabusedwomen).Thisisonewayinwhichgenderbarrierscanbeovercome,atleasttoaccessadvice,althoughfurthersupportrequireswomenCOs,femalepoliceorserviceproviderstotalkwithwomeninreportedlyabusivesituations.GenderofCOsalsohasanimpactonthewillingnessofyouthtotalkaboutproblemswiththepreviousJusticeDeliveredLocallyreportandinterviewsconductedaspartofthisanalysisindicatingwomenareseenasmoreapproachablebyyouthandmediatorsbetweenestablishedleaders,suchaschiefs,andyouth.29Similarly,womeninterviewedinWardswhereafemaleCOwaspresentsaidwomenweremorelikelytolistenbeforedecidingwhattodoandbesympathetictopeopleandtheirproblems.However,listeningskillsofmaleCOsinsomelocationswereacknowledgedascontributingtotheircommunitysupport.So,regardlessofthegenderoftheCO,outreach,activelisteningskillsandcollaborativedecisionmakingisrequiredtoelicitneedsofdisadvantagedgroups.AnotherfrequentlyraisedissuebyyouthinprojectconsultationswasthatmaleCOswhowereaggressiveorthreateningwhenyouthweredrinkingorsmokingcouldescalateproblems,ratherthancalmthoseinvolved.Youngmeninparticularemphasisedtheneedtounderstandcausesof29Allenet.al.JusticeDeliveredLocally77-78.


alcohol/substanceabuseandapproachyouthinawaythatwouldencouragethemtolistenandtakeactionstoincreasesafety.COstoooftennominatedasaprofessionaldevelopmentneedtohavesometrainingandsupportinhowtodealwithsuchsituationsandwithpeoplewithmentalhealthissues.Currently,intheabsenceofanyformalinstructionoragreements,COsareworkingcreativelytotryandfindoptionsforwomentotalktootherwomeninsensitivecasessuchasgender-basedviolence.SomeCOsinMakirahaveappointedfemale“assistants”toworkalongsidethemanddealwithwomenwhentheneedarises.Theseassistantscanbefemalemembersofcrimepreventioncommittees(orothersimilarlymandatedlocalcommittees)orfemalechurchleaders.Femalechurchleadersoftenhavesomecounsellingtraining,guidanceandexperienceinmediatingfamilydisputes(suchasmembersoftheMothersUnionintheAnglicanChurch).MaleCOsinBellonacancallontheisland’sonlyfemaleCOtodealwithissuestheyareunabletoattend,andthereisadegreeof“sharing”casesacrosswards,whichispossiblebecauseofthesmallsizeandshorttraveldistancesontheisland.Rennell-BellonaProvincemorebroadlyhasdiscussedthepotentialinappointingafewroamingfemaleCOswhoserolewouldbespecificallytoworkonissuesofconcerntowomenandelicitfurtherparticipationintheproject.

MoreinformationisneededonusepatternsoftheCGGMPandintersectionalissues.Forinstance,ininterviewsmanyCOssaidwomenreportincidentstothem,buttheactualpartiesinviolentincidentsweremostlymen.Thereisalackofinformationonwhetheryoutharereportingincidentsaswellandwhetheryoungwomenalsoreportincidents.Todate,theprojecthasrecordedageandgenderindatacollection,butnotspecificallyrecordedinformationaboutpeoplewithdisabilities.Improveddatacollectionandanalysisongender,ageanddisabilitycouldhelpidentifywhoarebringingissuestoCOsandwhetherdisadvantagedgroupshaveaccess.However,satisfaction(surveyedaspartofprojectreview)indicates,bothmenandwomenaregenerallysatisfiedwiththeperformanceofCOs(80%men,71%women).ConfusionaroundwhattheroleoftheCommunityOfficeris(particularlywhattheirrolesarevsthePolice,whetherCOscanarrestandprosecuteforexample)contributedtodoubtsabouttheprojectinitiallybutasexperiencewithCOsincreasesthisconfusionisdeclining.WomenandyouthgroupshaveexpressedadesireforawarenessabouthowtousethecomplaintsmechanismtoreportCOsifnecessary.Greaterawarenessofthecomplaintsmechanismamongstyouthandwomen,wouldhelpincreaseconfidenceofthesegroupsintheproject.Attheprovinciallevel,civilsocietygroupsexpressedadesireformoreinformationandformalcontactwithProvincialGovernmentabouttheCGGMP,particularlyasmanyareintheprocessofformulatingnewarrangementsforgender-basedviolenceservicesandcrimeprevention.RegularmeetingsbetweenprovincialgovernmentstaffworkingontheCGGMPandwomen,youthanddisabilitygroupsaswellaschurchandotherorganisationsrunningprogramsrelevanttocrimepreventionandgender-basedviolencewouldalsoaddafeedbacklooptotheprojectstafftoassistintheirprojectplanningandimplementation.Provincialandnational-levelgovernmentstaffhaveexpressedaneedforbettercoordinationofaid,particularlybyinternationalNGOs,inordertocomplementCGGMPprojectandgovernmentstrategiesforwomenandyouthempowerment.ThisisparticularlythecaseforiNGOswithprojectsaroundgender-basedviolence,alcohol/substanceabuse,crimepreventionandwomenandyouth.RegularstakeholdermeetingsfacilitatedbytheCGGMPcouldencouragemore


informationsharingandcoordinationbetweenthevariousgovernmentandnon-governmentagenciesworkingonissuesrelatedtoconflictpreventionandmanagement.ReportingofthesemeetingsuptotheProjectSteeringCommitteecouldalsohelpbringgenderandsocialinclusionissuestotheirattentionmoreregularly.BetternetworkingattheprovinciallevelcanalsoassisttospreadawarenessabouttheroleofCOs,encouragewomenandyouthtoconsiderleadership(asCOsorinadvisoryrolestotheCO)andincreaseuseofthecomplaintsmechanismwhenneeded.


Objective1:Theneedsofwomen,youthandpeoplewithdisabilitiesarecapturedinprojectresearch,review,monitoringandevaluation.

Theparticipationofwomen,youthandpeoplewithdisabilitieswillberecordedinallreportsonprojectactivitiestoprovideevidenceofhowtheirneedsarerecognizedandoftheirparticipationindecisions.

StrategicApproaches

• Provideprojectdatadisaggregatedforgender,ageanddisability

• Provideculturallyappropriateforumsforwomen,youthandpeoplewithdisabilitiestocontributetheirviewsandexperiencetoprojectdesignandreview

• Ensuresupervision/monitoringexpresslyelicitissuesofmostconcerntowomen

• SupportresearchonGBVandconflictresolution

Actions

ACTION TIMELINE IMPLEMENTATIONBY

1.1 Organisemen,womenandyouthtodiscuss,inseparategroups,theirexperiencetoinformprojectdesign,review,monitoringandallcommunitydiscussions.

Ongoing/Ineveryinstance Projectstaff&consultants

1.2 Providedisaggregationsforgender,ageanddisabilityinprojectsurveys

Ongoing/Ineveryinstance Projectstaff&consultants

1.3 Requirerecordingofageanddisability(inadditiontogender)inlogbookdata

StartedintrainingfornewlogbooktemplateinJune/July2017

Projectstaff,ProvincialCoordinators,COs

1.4 Linkwithgovernmentandnon-governmentagenciescurrentlyinvolvedinresearcharoundwomenandconflictresolutionandgender-basedviolence

InitialmeetingwithWPSNAP3rdquarter2017/Ongoing

ProvinciallevelGBVmeetinginitialmeeting2017/Ongoing

Projectstaff,MWYCFA

1.5 Reviewlogbookdataandprojectreportstocompilereportsonparticipationofdisadvantagedgroupssuchasyouth,peoplewithdisabilityandwomeninprojectactivitiesaswellascommunityleadersinchurchandchieflyroles.

Ongoing,aspartofregularreviewoflogbooks

ProvincialCoordinators


Objective2:EqualaccesstosupportbyCOsisprovidedformen,womenandyouthandCOsareadeptatworkingwithdisadvantagedgroups.

DifferentgroupsincommunitiesareseentouseCommunityOfficerswhentheirsupportisrequired,asevidencedthroughlogbookandprojectreports,withnogroupbeingseentobeexperiencingviolenceorconflictbutnotinteractingwiththeCommunityOfficer.

StrategicApproaches

• BuildcapacityofCOstoworkwithwomen,youth,peoplewithdisabilities

• EncourageCOstoidentifydisadvantagedgroupsandstrengthenrelationshipsandtrust

• EstablishmentoringarrangementsforCOsneedingfurthersupportwithspecificissues

Actions


2.1ScopeoptionsforCOtrainingcurriculumcontentonhowtoworkwithgender,peoplewithdisabilities(particularlymentalhealthissues),youthandpeopleinvolvedinalcoholandsubstanceabusefromcurrentgovernmentandnon-governmentagenciesandincorporateintoCOtrainingplan.30

Scope–June2017

SessionsondisadvantagetobeincorporatedintotrainingsessionstotakeplaceSeptember/October2017

Projectconsultant/Projectstaff

2.2 FacilitateanalysisoflocalpoweranddisadvantagebyCOsandpersonalactionplanstobroadensocialrelationshipsandpromoteequalaccess.

SessionsondisadvantagetobeincorporatedintotrainingsessionstotakeplaceSeptember/October2017

Projectconsultant,Projectstaff,COs

2.3 EncourageCOstoidentifyissuestheyhaveworkingwithdisadvantagedgroupsandseekmentoringrelationshipsforspecificneeds.

2017-2018 Projectstaff,COs

30StakeholdersintheprojectinMakiraexpressedadesireformentotrainothermenaboutgenderissues,tofacilitateunderstandingandpracticaldiscussionsaroundtheissue.


Objective3:Specialarrangementsareprovidedforwomentoaccesssupportingender-basedviolenceandrelatedconflictresolutioncases.

Womenfacinggender-basedviolencearetobereferredtospacesinwhichtheycandiscusstheproblemandpotentialavenuesofsupportwithotherwomenthroughCGGMP.

StrategicApproaches

• EncourageparticipantsinfamiliesexperiencingGBVtobringcasestoCOs

• DevelopoptionsforwomentotalktowomenCOs

• Workwithprovincial-levelnetworkstostrengthentiesbetweenCOsandservices

• ProvidetrainingtoCOsongender-basedviolenceandavailablesupportprovidedbycommunity,church,governmentandpolice.

Actions


3.1 ReviewdatacapturebyCOsregardingGBVcasesandCO’sexperiencewiththeintentoffurtherunderstandingofwomen’sexperienceofCOsinGBVcasesandoutcomes.

MonthlyaspartofProvincialCoordinatorreview,QuarterlyaspartofM&EOfficerreview

ProvincialCoordinator

M&EOfficer

3.2 CGGMP,ProvincialgovernmentandCOsmeettodecidepracticableoptionsforprovidingaccesstofemaleCOs(optionsinclude“roaming”femaleCOsacrossprovincesorwards,COassistants,quotas,maleandfemaleCOsatregion/wardlevel).

IncorporatedinMid-TermReviewprocess&Agreementprocesswithdecisionsin2017andfullimplementation2018

ProjectSteeringCommittee,ProjectStaff,COs,ProvincialGovernments

3.3 Provincialandnationalmeetingsbeheldbetweengovernment,COsandserviceprovidersforpeopleexperiencinggender-basedviolencetoprogressGBVcasesandreferralpathways.

September-October2017(Malaita/Guadalcanal)

November-December2017(Rennell-Bellona/Makira)

ProvincialCoordinator


Objective4:CGGMPmodelsandsupportswomen’sandyouthparticipationindecision-makingatlocal,provincialandnationallevels.

Projectstaffdemonstrateinclusiveparticipation,requireparticipationbyarangeofgroupsintheiractivities,aswellascoordinatewithrelevantprovincialandnationallevelinstitutionswithmandatestoreducesocialexclusion.

StrategicApproaches

• Providemenandwomentrainers&modelequalgenderrolesinprojectactivities

• Elicitparticipationintrainingsbychiefs,elders,religiousleaders,women,youth,peoplewithdisabilities,ethnicminoritiestobuildunderstandingofdisadvantageandcapacityforsocialinclusion

• Facilitateparticipationofmen,womenandyouthinCOelectionandreview

• Seekinputfromprovincial-levelwomen,youthanddisabilitycivilsocietygroupsintoprojectdesignandimplementation.

• Supportimplementationofrelatedobjectivesinnationalwomenandyouthpolicies

Actions


4.1Usefemaletrainersandfacilitatorsinallprojectactivities.

Ongoing/Ineveryinstance

Projectstaff

4.2Requireparticipationofwomen,menandyouthinCOelectionprocess.

Ongoing/Ineveryinstance

Projectstaff

4.3Holdprovincialstakeholders’meetingswithwomen,youthanddisabilitygroupstodiscussprojectprogressandseekinput.

Annually ProvincialCoordinators

4.4FormaliseinvolvementofCGGMPwithWomen,PeaceandSecurityNationalActionPlanincludingreportingtoactionplanmeetings.

2017 Projectstaff/MWYCFA

4.5SupportNationalYouthPolicy2017-2030PriorityPolicyOutcome4andreportonprojectprogressunderthispriorityarea.

2017 Projectstaff/MWYCFA/MPGIS


Objective5:UseofprocedurestoreportcomplaintsaboutCOperformancebywomenandyouthrisesandremedialactionistakenwhereappropriate.AllgroupsinsocietydemonstrateawarenessofhowtocomplainaboutCommunityOfficersifneedbe,womenandyoutharerecordedtohavemadecomplaintsandprojectreportsindicatethesecomplaintsareactedoninatimelymanner.StrategicApproaches

• Regularawarenessaboutcomplaintsprocedures

• Providesafespacesformen,womenandyouthtoreportCOsforbias,inactionorotherbreachesofconduct

• RemoveCOsfoundtobreachcodeofconduct&provideoptionsforelectionofnewCO

Actions


5.1Implementcomplaintsmechanismtoallprojectlocationstoencouragereporting.

2017-2018 ProvincialCoordinators

5.2Includeinformationaboutcomplaintsproceduresinallpresentations,materialsandspeechesatalllocal,provincialandnationalmeetingsaboutCOsandCGGMP.

2017-2018 Projectstaff,ProvincialCoordinators

5.3Supplyinformationaboutcomplaintsprocedurestomainserviceandsupportprovidersandcivilsocietygroupsattheprovinciallevel(includingwomen’sgroups,youthgroupsandpeoplewithdisabilitygroups)

2017-2018 Projectstaff,ProvincialCoordinators

5.4ReviewcomplaintsprocedureswiththeviewtomakingthesemoreefficientinremovingCOsfoundtobreachtheircodeofconductandterms.

2018 Projectstaff


Increasingwomen’sleadershipwithinCGGMPCurrentIssuesWhiletheCGGMPhasexplicitaimstoincorporatetheappointmentofwomenCOs,theproject’ssuccessindoingsohasbeenconstrainedbygenderrolesandexpectations.Fromthecurrenttotal29COsin2017,2arefemale(inBellonaWard7andMakiraWard9Cluster8thisCOalsobeingayouthaged26).Particularlyinruralareas,genderrolesrestrictmovementofwomenandtheirsocializationwithmalesthatarenottheirkinorin-laws.Forexample,inWestKwaio(seeBox),themainbarrierlocalpeoplenominatedinregardtowomenbeingCOswasobtainingpermissionfromherhusbandandfamily.However,theexperienceofCOsinMalaita,MakiraandRennell-Bellonaisthatwomenwithchieflylinksandstatusarenotfacedwiththisbarriertothesamedegree.Theirspecialstatus,forexampleaswifeordaughterofachief,allowsthemtotravel,talktoavarietyofpeople,attendincidents,andspeakauthoritativelySecondly,awidely-heldviewthatCOsmustbephysicallystrong,abletointerveneinarmedfightsorarrestaperpetrator,hasbeenabarrierforwomenbecomingCOs.Thiswasparticularlythecasewhentheprojectwasnew,andtherewassomeconfusionbetweenthedifferencebetweentheresponsibilitiesofaCOandapoliceofficer.Womenexpressedthattheyfearedphysicalviolenceandriskstotheirsafetyorthattheywouldnotknowwhattodotohandlesuchincidents.AsunderstandinghasincreasedthatCOsprimarytasksaretalkingtopeoplelikelytobeinvolvedinincidents,orafterincidents,inordertofacilitateconflictpreventionandconflictresolution,thisbarrierisbeingreduced.Forexample,inRennell-Bellona,womeninterviewedcommentedthatpeace-buildingfunctionsaremorealignedtowomen’sresponsibilitiesthanmen,sothereforetheycouldhavearoleasCOs.EncouragingCOstobeviewedmoreaspeacemakers,andlessasenforcersofthelaw,allowscommunitiestodrawonculturaltraditionsofwomeninpeacemakingasarationaleforparticipationinCGGMP.

31WrenChadwickandAliTuhanuku,WomenattheInterfaceofLocalandStateJusticesystems:ACaseStudyofCommunityOfficersinSolomonIslands,UnpublishedPaper.

BOX3:Thepowerofone?InfluenceoffemaleCOsonoutcomesforwomeninWestKwaio

AstudyoftheroleoftwofemaleCOsundertheformerpilotprojectforcommunityofficers(administeredbyRSIPF)inWestKwaio,MalaitaindicatedwomenCOsdealtwiththesametypesofcasesasmaleCOs.ThemaindifferencebetweenmaleandfemaleCOswasthepartiesinvolved:“ThemajorityofcasesdealtwithbywomenCOsinvolvedwomen,eitherasvictimsorasallegedoffenders.CasesarenormallyreferredtotheCOsbychiefs;somecases,however,werereportedtowomenCOsbywomenoryoungpeoplewhowouldhavebeenreluctantorunwillingtogodirectlytoachieforamaleCO.Withnoprecedentfortherole,andverylittleinstruction,womenCOsarecreativelyrespondingtocases,drawingonmalesupporttoincreasetheirlegitimacywherenecessary.AttimesthewomenCOsperforma‘disputecounselling’role,guidingandsupportingdisputantsthroughlocaljusticeprocesses.Onotheroccasions,theytakeamoreauthoritativerole,relyingontheirconnectionwiththepolicetobringlegitimacytotheirwordsofwarning.ThisdualroleisnotdissimilartothatperformedbymaleCOs.”WestKwaioCOswerecloselyrelatedtochiefsandfemalechiefshavebeenappointedinthearea,reflectingahigherlevelofparticipationofwomenindecisionmaking.However,becausetheCOswereembeddedinchurchandchiefdecision-makingroles,theauthorscommentedtherewaspotentialforthesetoreinforcedisadvantagesofwomen,regardlessoftheinvolvementoffemaleCOs.WhilefemaleCOscanbebothreflectiveofgreaterrecognitionoftheroleofwomenindecision-making,andtransformativethroughdemonstratingthevalueofwomen’sleadershipandfacilitation,theimpactofsinglefemaleCOsonoutcomesforwomenincommunitiescanonlybeaseffectiveasthecommunitygovernancethattheyformapartof.31


InRennell-Bellona,therewasanExecutiveOrderbanningCOsfrombeinginvolvedinloggingandminingdisputes–oftenacauseofviolentconflictincommunities.ThisalsomayhelplowerriskstosafetyforwomenCOsworkingintheProvinceasitmandatesthatsuchmattersbereporteddirectlytothepolice.Practicalconsiderationsoftimeandmoneyarealsoafactorwithwomen’sdutiesinthedomesticsphere,particularlycaringforchildrenandgrowingandcookingfood,limitingtheirabilitytoconsiderandcommittodemandingrolessuchasthatofCO.Inareaswherewomenhavelowlevelsofeducation,highnumbersofchildrenandlowincomes,(e.g.MalaitaandRennell-Bellona,SeeBox2)theseresourceandtimebarriers,addedtopatriarchalleadershiptraditions,havereducedthenumberofwomeninleadership.COsareappointedaftercommunitymembersnominatecandidatesandvoteinsecret.Theprocessismonitoredbyprojectstafftoensuretransparencyandthereisprovisionforanequalnumberofmaleandfemalenominees.However,duetothegenderbarriersmentionedabove,thenumberoffemalenomineeshasbeenlowerthanmalesandsomewomenhavedroppedoutoftheracealongtheway.WomenthatweresuccessfullyelectedinMakiraandBellonahavesomecommoncharacteristics.Theyhadclosefamilyrelationstothechiefandthereforespecialstatustospeak,travelandcarryouttheirduties.TheyalsohadsomeexperiencewiththePoliceandunderstoodalittleaboutthesystemforpolicereportingandprosecutionthroughfamilylinksorexperience.Theyhadsecuredtheirsupportfromthecommunityinlargepartfromwinningtheyouthandwomenvote(thewomen’svoteinBellonabeingparticularlyinfluencedbychurchgroups).Becausethevotingprocessrequireswomen,youthandmentobeinvolved,thewomenandyouthvoteisgenerallyatleast50%ormoreofthecountedvotes(asopposedtootherelectoralprocesseswhichdonotnecessarilysolicityouthandwomenparticipation).WhenaskedwhytheyvotedforafemaleCOcommunityrepresentativescitedthreekeyfactors–firstlytheywerelocallyembedded(stayinginthecommunity,versusotherleaderswhowentoutforlongperiods)andsecondlytheyhadservedthecommunity(forexampleintheECEinMakiraandinyouthsportinggroupsinBellona).Inbothcases,theirserviceinvolunteerrolesinthecommunityhadearnedthefemaleCOssupportwithyouthinparticular.Finally,thewomenCOswereseenasapproachablebymen,womenandyouthandtheyreportedlyfelttheyweremorelikelytolistentotheirconcerns.TherearealsoimportantdifferencesbetweenthecurrentfemaleCOs:whytheysecuredcommunitysupportandhowtheyworked.ForinstanceinWard9,Cluster8,men,womenandyouthuniformlysaidtheyvotedforthatparticularfemalecandidatebecauseofhereducation(shehascompletedsecondaryschool,whereasmanyleadershadnoorlittleschooleducation).ThisfemaleCOalsoworkedonlyasateam,attendingincidentswiththechiefandothers.VotersfortheBelloneseCOdidnotmentioneducationasafactor,insteadmentioningherstatusandexperience.TheBellonesefemaleCOwasattendingincidentsbyherselfrunning“shuttlediplomacy”(talkingtoonepartyandthentheotherseparately,tryingtogetthemtoseetheother’spointofviewbefore,bringingthemtogetherattheend).Whilesheconsultedchiefsandothers,herworkwasseenaseffectivebecauseshehadfriendlyrelationshipsonanindividuallevelwithmanypeopleinvolvedinincidentsandcouldhelpthemchangeattitudesandbehavior.


Encouragingcommunitiestonominatehighstatuswomenandthosethathavedemonstratedtheiruseandresponsibilitytothecommunity,chiefsinparticulartonominatesuchwomen,andencouragingsuchwomenthemselvestoconsiderbecomingCOscouldincreasethenumberoffemaleCOs.Inaddition,thereneedstobeconsiderationinprojectcommunicationsandawarenesshowtoreducegenderbarriersthroughclarifyingtheroleofCOs.EffectivenessoffemaleCOs,likemaleCOs,ishighlydependentonlocallevelgovernanceandpoliceandgovernmentresponsiveness.Iflocalgovernanceispoorandconflictissuesaretense(forexampleinareaswithviolentincidentsaroundminingandlogging)itwillbedifficultforwomentoconfrontbothgenderbarriersandentrenchedconflictandsocialdysfunction.ItisnotsurprisingthatwherefemaleCOshavebeenelectedaregenerally“peaceful”communities,withlowlevelsofviolentconflict.Similarly,femaleCOshavereportedthattrustthecommunityhasinthemislinkedtowhetherthePolicerespondwhenneeded–ifthePolicecannotbackupCOsbyattendingcommunitiestoconductawarenessorattendseriousincidentsinatimelymanner,thenitisseenthatCOsdonothavethePoliceas“shadowofthelaw”behindthem,andthereforecanbedisregarded.Similarly,theabilityoftheProvincetorespondtoCOconcernsaroundpay,reportingandotherissuesaffectstheabilityoffemaleCOstocarryouttheirduties.

JenniferLewis(rightpicture,left),thefirstfemaleCommunityOfficerinBellona,waselectedduetohersolidrelationshipswiththecommunitythroughhermanyyearsorganizingsportsprogramsforyouth(leftpicture)andsupportfromleaderssuchasChiefJohnTay(rightpicture,right).


Objective6:CommunityOfficers,andlocaladvisorstoCOs,increasetheparticipationofwomeninleadershipandconflictresolution.MorewomentakeuptheroleofCommunityOfficerandwomenaredemonstrablyactiveinbringingcasestomaleCOs,advisingontheirdecisionsandsupportingresolutionoflocalconflicts.MaleandfemaleCOsarerequiredtodemonstrateconsultationanddecision-makingwithwomen,youthandmenandbuildcollaborativedecisionsandresponsestolocalissues.StrategicApproaches

• Promotecollegialandcollaborativeleadershipstyles• IncreaseunderstandingofroleofCOstoremovegenderbias• FacilitatesharingofexperiencesandmentoringbetweenCOs• FosterlocaldebateonbenefitsofselectionoffemaleCOsandpriorexamplesofwomenin

leadership• Encourageleaderstonominatefemalecandidates• Monitorelectionstoensureparticipationofwomenandyouth,aswellasmen

ActionsACTION TIMELINE IMPLEMENTATIONBY

6.1RequireallCOstodemonstrateinlogbooksconsultationwithwomenindecision-makingaroundconflictpreventionandresolution.

FromintroductionofnewlogbookinJune2017/Ongoing

Projectstaff

6.2Conductawareness,onroleofCOtoreduceperceivedneedofphysicalstrengthanddiscusshowwomenmayfulfilCOduties.

Ongoing Projectstaff,COs

6.3FacilitateforumsforCOstoshareexperienceoftheirpersonalactionplansandconductoftheirrole,includinghowdifferentCOshaveworkedwithdifferentgenders,agegroupsandothercharacteristics(suchasethnicminorities)

ConductedatQuarterlyClusterMeetings

ProvincialCoordinatorM&EOfficer

6.4Conveneseparatemeetingsformen,womenandyouthtodiscussmaleandfemalenominations,encouragingnominationsoffemaleoryouthCOcandidatespriortonominationprocess.

Ineveryinstanceofelection Projectstaff

6.5Holdseparatemeetingsformen,womenandyouthtodiscusselectoralcandidatechoicesafternominationsandpriortothevotingprocess.

Ineveryinstanceofelection Projectstaff


6.6ProfilethebenefitsoffemaleCOs,includingsupportfrommaleleadership,throughprojectawareness.

Ongoing Projectstaff


4. ProjectcontactinformationRavinDhariProjectManagerRDhari@mpgis.gov.sbDrAnoukRide [email protected]

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