A host of new laws passed in Solomon Islands to better protect children in the country will not be effective without wider social change, according to the Ministry of Women, Youth and Children's Affairs.
Solomon islands school children in class. Photo: Supplied
Harsher penalties for child sex abuse, stricter laws around the adoption of children by foreigners and more powers for social welfare officers are some of the changes that have been made in Solomon Islands through legislation such as the Family Protection Act.
But the acting director of the ministry's social welfare division Linda Tupe said it was not enough to simply legislate for the protection of children.
"Not legislation alone can protect children, we should change the attitudes and behaviour of adults in relation to looking after children and with positive parenting skills and stuff like that."
She said there are also many cultural considerations which arise when talking about child welfare and protection in Solomon Islands and she believes the focus needs to be on doing away with negative cultural practices while reinforcing positive ones.
