This has hampered women from taking more active roles in economic and political life. Only 1 of the 47 members of Parliament is female, and none of the 15 government ministers is female. A shortage of employment opportunities throughout the country has inhibited the entry of women into the work force. While actual statistical data are scarce, incidents of wife beating and abuse appear to be common. In the rare cases that are reported, charges are often dropped by the women before the court appearance or are settled out of court.
Police are reluctant to interfere in what they perceive as domestic disputes.
The magistrate courts deal with physical abuse of women, on the basis of inherent common law powers, as they would any other assault, although prosecutions are rare. There is no national policy on women. The government-supported National Council of Women is the principal women's organization involved in trying to improve the status of women in society. While the Council continues to hold workshops and to conduct programs to train women in skills needed to enhance their self-confidence, and to strengthen their participation in the political and economic life of Solomon Islands, its efforts on the legislative front seemed to have slackened. The Government provides support for these efforts through the Women's and Development Division of the Ministry of Health.