Christian groups hail Solomon Islands review to end child marriage, raise minimum age to 18.
The move to raise the marriage age to 18 has been supported by advocacy partners of the Protektim Pikinini Moa project involcing a coalition of World Vision, Save the Children and ChildFund, with help from the New Zealand Government. Save the ChildrenThe Solomon Islands Government has begun reviewing its child-marriage law, with plans to consider raising the legal age to 18 — a move welcomed by Christian aid agencies, including World Vision New Zealand, which called the step “thrilling” after years of advocacy.
Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka told parliament on Aug. 4 that the review of the Islanders’ Marriage and Divorce Act 1945 is underway and could result in amendments to align the law with international human rights standards.
World Vision, an interdenominational Christian aid organization working to protect vulnerable children, has campaigned alongside Save the Children New Zealand, ChildFund New Zealand and local partners to end child marriage across the Pacific nation’s hundreds of islands. The groups say community consultations show strong public backing for raising the minimum marriage age, including for customary marriages.
The advocacy initiative was implemented by the Solomon Islands Endim Vaelens Agenstim Pikinini (SIEVAP) program by Save the Children, ChildFund, and World Vision Solomon Islands, supported by the New Zealand Government, launched in November 2022. CD.
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