DEAR EDITOR, according to the SIBC, Oxfam with support from the Australian Aid Programme has recently awarded over SBD$2.5, 000,000 grant to address family violence in Malaita and Temotu provinces.

The grant was sourced through the Safe Families Fund small grants programme.

The successful recipients of the grant include sporting clubs, women’s organisations, radio stations, hospitals, prisons, theatre groups, disabled peoples’ and organisations

Others include churches, businesses and government agencies.

The President of the Temotu Council of Women, Doreen Salana, reportedly said the grant will enable the council to deliver essential training for women to be more informed about the “Family Protection Act”.

A statement from OXFAM has said many of the organisations are based in rural areas and it is the first time they have successfully applied for a grant.

It added Oxfam will provide each organisation with training and support to deliver their projects over a 12-month period.

I would like to hope that the grant will also go towards making it safer for children in Malaita and Temotu provinces for, according to the Solomon Islands Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs claims the country, as a whole is no longer a safe place for children.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ethel Sigimanu, told Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) for the period from 2008 a study indicated that child abuse in Solomon Islands was high.

She said the nation-wide study had been carried out to collect data on gender-based violence and child abuse.

Mrs Sigimanu said the form of abuse related to sexual and physical, coupled with child negligence.

She said often perpetrators were those who should provide parental love and family care and the study had showed many children experienced daily abuse.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT