Country profile:
Solomon Islands is an archipelago of more than 900 islands in the South Pacific. The people in this country face significant challenges across the areas of climate resilience, gender equity and inclusive governance.
Recent research shows climate finance flows are increasing, but that does not necessarily mean that climate finance is adequate or that finance is translating into concrete benefits on the ground.
Women in Solomon Islands face a number of systemic and deep-rooted barriers to full participation, including heavily male-dominated decision-making systems and practices, reinforced by gender stereotypes that portray women as less able than men to lead or make decisions.
Women are often prevented from gaining leadership positions because of low levels of education, a high burden of family care responsibility, high levels of violence, and underlying discriminatory social norms. As a result, women’s voices and priorities are often absent or secondary in decision-making within the household, the community, provincial government plans and national policies.
Our Partners
West ‘Are’Are Rokotanikeni Association (WARA)
Founded in October 1999, WARA is an indigenous, women-led organisation with deep experience of gender equity and women’s empowerment in rural communities in Solomon Islands. It supports women across five key areas: economic empowerment, leadership, climate change, research and publication.
WARA’s long-standing presence and deep relationships in Malaita have laid a strong foundation for the opening of community and tribal governance forums to women, and for more equally shared decision-making within households.
Oxfam and WARA are dedicated to empowering women in both rural and urban areas, helping them run small businesses and overcome challenges such as COVID-19 recovery, climate change, inflation, and inadequate infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, women have made significant improvements in their families’ health, education, housing, and sanitation, highlighting their resilience.
Solomon Islands Climate Action Network (SICAN)
SICAN is national network that brings together the coalition support of local, national, and international CSO’s to support and raise the voices of the most marginalised communities facing the impacts of climate change.
