INTRODUCTION Where the Report makes no mention of data (including disaggregated data), it means no data is available. The State also faces challenges in the monitoring and evaluation of programs that implement CRC. The Report does not cover independent NGO work on CRC compliance. Solomon Islands ratified CRC in 1995 and submitted its initial report to the Committee in 2002. The extended family system is under pressure from socio-economic changes where the shift to a monetized economy is slowly eroding the traditional social security system, which is based on a rural subsistence economy. Families are becoming more cash-dependent resulting in susceptibility to bribes, unfair distribution and unsustainable harvesting of natural resources. Education remains neither compulsory nor free. Educational opportunity for the girl child in a family is often subordinate to that of the boy. Recent changes create more equal opportunities for boys and girls. Social problems increasingly affecting youths include single teenage motherhood, STIs, youth delinquency, sexual and physical abuse, youth suicide, alcohol and drug abuse.
Section 34 (2) of the FPA 2014 provision for an adult person to be present with the child during court proceedings. The CFWB provides for courts to consider the child’s views when determining orders affecting children. The 2009 Children’s Survey reported youths aged 12 to 17 years to have a high degree of awareness that children have rights; with 87% being aware that there were child rights and 72% being able to explain child rights in a meaningful way. In 2009 Parliament and MWYCFA co-hosted the first National Youth Parliament with 50 students as parliamentarians representing youths of their constituency. The program included a three-day workshop and a meeting at the National Parliament House. The CYiCL project provided “diversion” programs which encourage children to choose alternative paths to that which brought them into conflict with the law. As part of the program, the child’s desires and views are obtained in customizing the programs. School children are encouraged to debate in public forums on topical issues affecting children. During Law Week, an initiative of MJLA, moot courts and debate competitions were conducted for school children on current legal issues. In 2009-2010, SCA, NAACC and the Solomon Star Newspaper conducted public opinion polls for children on various issues and published the information in the newspaper. coordinates annual speech contests and debates. SPC’s Youth at Work programme hosts a monthly youth market where schools and CSOs host speech contests and children speak on a wide range of topics including domestic violence. CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS 4A. Birth registration, name and nationality Section 23 of the Constitution does not allow dual nationality. Section 17 of the Adoption Act 2004 provides that if a who was not born in Solomon Islands is adopted by parents—one of whom is a Solomon Islands citizen—the adopted child then is a Solomon Islands citizen from the date of the adoption order. The Births and Deaths (Registration) Act obligates every person to register every birth and death as soon as is reasonably practicable after the birth and death, and failure by responsible persons to report births is an offence under the Act.Birth registration is free. MHA is reviewing the Births and Deaths (Registration) Act to strengthen reporting mechanisms. The Constitution does not classify citizens into different ethnic groups, but all as Solomon islanders. NACC prioritises birth registration in both the National Children’s Policy and Plan of Action (2007-2012) and the NACC Draft Review.