Solomon Islands November Update

Hope Trust visits LIFT International in Thailand

Hope Trust’s Director Prema and Legal Officer Gina travelled to visit LIFT International in Chiang Mai from 26 November to 3 December with the Chief Immigration Officer of Solomon Islands, Arnold Horesi.

The purpose of the trip was to learn about LIFT’s staff and partnerships, intelligence operations, law enforcement support, case management, reporting systems, teamwork, legal processes and media reporting on cases. The team visited a Court and the Royal Thai Police and also participated in an investigative interactive case study to learn more about legal processes involved in such cases.

HOPE Trust reported were impressed by LIFT staff members’ passion and dedication to the cause. A highlight for Chief Immigration Officer Arnold was learning about the Thai Trafficking Act, which he will use when reviewing Solomon Islands’ Immigration Act. For Prema, the training on appropriate reportwriting was very helpful. Meanwhile Gina, the HOPE Trust lawyer, appreciated the 2 days she spent with LIFT’s female lawyer, Pik to learn skills on how to handle
trafficking legal cases that she will apply in Solomon Islands.

‘16 days of activism’ to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls

HOPE Trust partnered with the Ministry of Health – Social Welfare and Live & Learn to mark the ‘16 days of activism’ to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls from November 25. During the event, the three partners conducted community awareness programs on Gender Based Violence, child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation in Honiara communities, including Burns Creek and Salabuka- two of the HOPE Trust communities.

HOPE Trust participates in the ‘National Women’s Dialogue’

HOPE Trust participated in the 5-day ‘National Women’s Dialogue’ event ending November 18, organised by the Women’s Right Action Movement, National Council of Women and Young Women’s Parliamentary Group. The theme was “Building a strong movement for women and young girls through dialogue” and topics discussed were political parties, women’s health, the Islanders’ Marriage Act, women in business and human trafficking- presented by HOPE Trust. From the presentation, it is clear that human trafficking is not as widely known as issues like gender-based violence, with participants wanting to learn more. A list of recommendations will be produced from the Dialogue and submitted to decision makers within the Government Ministries.