International day of the girl marked with call to eliminate forced unions

BY NED GAGAHE

International Day of the Girl was marked yesterday with the call to end child marriage.

Plan International Solomon Islands yesterday joined partners, students and youth advocates at the Multipurpose Hall in Honiara to commemorate this year’s International Day of the Girl under the theme ‘Child Early and Forced Marriage and Unions’.

Acting Country Programme Manager Plan International Solomon Islands, Sheebah Mirisa, in her keynote remarks, celebrated the achievements and strength of girls across the country and reaffirmed Plan International’s ongoing commitment to promoting girls’ rights and ending child marriage in all its forms.

“Today is a very important day, and I just want to begin by celebrating every girl in this room — and all our sisters, daughters, nieces, and granddaughters across the Solomon Islands,” Ms Mirisa said.

“Let’s all put our hands together for all the girls in this country,” she added, drawing applause from participants.

Mirisa acknowledged the collaboration of the Solomon Islands Ending Violence Against Children (SIEVAP) coalition — comprising Save the Children, Child Fund, and World Vision — for partnering in this year’s commemoration.

She also extended appreciation to participating students from St Nicholas College, Coronation School, Honiara Integrated School, and youth representatives from Gizo, who travelled to take part in the event under the Girls Taking Action for Climate Change project.

The event was also attended by visiting colleagues and local staff from Plan International Solomon Islands.

Mirisa highlighted that this year’s global theme underscores the urgent need to safeguard the rights of girls and to eliminate all forms of early and forced marriage.

“It aligns strongly with the collaborative efforts of the SIEVAP campaign, Make It 18,” she said. “Each year, Plan International publishes the State of the World’s Girls Report to mark this occasion. The 2025 report focuses on the lived experiences of already married or partnered girls — those often overlooked by existing child marriage interventions.”

The report also sheds light on the intersecting challenges faced by girls living with disabilities, those from displaced communities, minority groups, and those affected by poverty.

Mirisa said Plan International is proud to provide a platform for dialogue where students, teachers, and youth leaders can share ideas and raise awareness about how early marriage limits opportunities for young people to realise their full potential.

“The main feature of this dialogue is for young girls and boys to take leadership roles as stakeholders and community advocates in voicing their stand on protecting children from early marriage,” she added.

She encouraged all participants to remain committed to building a Solomon Islands where every girl and boy can live free from child marriage and achieve their dreams.

“Together, through collaboration and action, we can make this a reality,” Mirisa said. “Happy International Day of the Girl — and to our participants, happy dialogue day.”