UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 29) Since 2010, Slovenia signed and ratified the following international treaties:
CoE Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence; signed on 8 September 2011.

Para 73) In 2009, Slovenia adopted the Resolution on the 2009-2014 National Programme on Prevention of Family Violence (NPPFV). This strategic document sets out objectives, measures and key players to reduce and prevent domestic violence. The document aims to combine measures implemented by various ministries and provides for effective activities to reduce domestic violence, both in terms of identification and prevention. Therefore, the Resolution also provides for the implementation of a national awareness-raising campaign on the issue of violence and for reducing the extent of such deviant behaviour in every society. Rules were adopted in certain fields to implement the 2008 Family Violence Prevention Act (FVPA), effectively provide assistance to children and cooperate with other authorities.

Para 74) The two-year nation-wide awareness raising campaign "VESNA - to live a life free of violence" officially started on 7 March 2014 with a national conference. The target group is women of three generations (young women, adults and old women), for whom different, target-oriented activities have been envisaged. Activities are tailored to the needs and lifestyle of each target group.

Para 75) Several other sector-specific implementing acts on education, health care, social security, and the police have been passed to implement the FVPA, effectively provide assistance to children and cooperate with other authorities.

Para 76) The Slovenian Research Agency, the OEO and the MoI/Police co-financed the target research project "Violence and Responses to it in the Private Sphere and Partnerships". At the end of 2010, the results of the first empirical national research on violence in the private sphere and partnerships were published, and followed at the end of 2011 by analyses on the work of the Police, courts and social services concerning violence against women and domestic violence. The research has shown that the number of cases of domestic violence that are detected, identified and processed by institutions is increasing. This is also due to the implementation of legislation that both enables and imposes the obligation of institutions to provide effective assistance to victims and to prosecute offenders. In addition, the number of cases processed also increased as a result of the victims' increased willingness to seek help and the increased awareness and sensitivity of staff in institutions established to help such victims.

Para 77) Adopted in 2013, the Police Tasks and Powers Act significantly upgraded the police restraining order. Police officers may impose such a measure on the offender not only on the scene of the offence, but also immediately after the offender has been apprehended, regardless of location. An offender who has repeatedly violated a restraining order may be detained by the Police and, at the same time, a fine may be imposed. For the cases when the place that the offender must not approach is an education institution attended by a victim who is a child or a minor, the legal basis was added to inform the relevant personnel at the education institutions of the duration of the restraining order or other information vital to the protection of the victim.

Para 78) With a view to raising public awareness, the Police publish on its web page, in several foreign languages, information on domestic violence and on police procedures.

Para 79) Housing capacities for women victims of violence have increased. One of the safe houses has also been adapted for the needs of disabled persons. One crisis centre has been adapted for the needs of older people. The network of crisis centres and shelters expanded to regions in which such services were previously unavailable, and the housing capacities for victims of violence are currently provided for.

Para 80) NGOs caution about the changed criminal offence of threat under Article 135 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates that the threatening of the security of another person without any consequences and when only one person is involved is liable to private prosecution. This change was made particularly due to prosecutors' experience of a large number of withdrawn complaints of injured parties during the later stages of the procedure. The adequacy of this solution is being reviewed in 2014.

Para 81) The available statistics show the improved effectiveness of justice in terms of prosecutions and conviction related to the offence of domestic violence under Article 191 of the Criminal Code.

National Report:
Para 5. After the second cycle, Slovenia ratified … the OP-CRC-IC (20 March 2018).

National Report:
Para 29) Since 2010, Slovenia signed and ratified the following international treaties:
CoE Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence; signed on 8 September 2011.

Para 73) In 2009, Slovenia adopted the Resolution on the 2009-2014 National Programme on Prevention of Family Violence (NPPFV). This strategic document sets out objectives, measures and key players to reduce and prevent domestic violence. The document aims to combine measures implemented by various ministries and provides for effective activities to reduce domestic violence, both in terms of identification and prevention. Therefore, the Resolution also provides for the implementation of a national awareness-raising campaign on the issue of violence and for reducing the extent of such deviant behaviour in every society. Rules were adopted in certain fields to implement the 2008 Family Violence Prevention Act (FVPA), effectively provide assistance to children and cooperate with other authorities.

Para 74) The two-year nation-wide awareness raising campaign "VESNA - to live a life free of violence" officially started on 7 March 2014 with a national conference. The target group is women of three generations (young women, adults and old women), for whom different, target-oriented activities have been envisaged. Activities are tailored to the needs and lifestyle of each target group.

Para 75) Several other sector-specific implementing acts on education, health care, social security, and the police have been passed to implement the FVPA, effectively provide assistance to children and cooperate with other authorities.

Para 76) The Slovenian Research Agency, the OEO and the MoI/Police co-financed the target research project "Violence and Responses to it in the Private Sphere and Partnerships". At the end of 2010, the results of the first empirical national research on violence in the private sphere and partnerships were published, and followed at the end of 2011 by analyses on the work of the Police, courts and social services concerning violence against women and domestic violence. The research has shown that the number of cases of domestic violence that are detected, identified and processed by institutions is increasing. This is also due to the implementation of legislation that both enables and imposes the obligation of institutions to provide effective assistance to victims and to prosecute offenders. In addition, the number of cases processed also increased as a result of the victims' increased willingness to seek help and the increased awareness and sensitivity of staff in institutions established to help such victims.

Para 77) Adopted in 2013, the Police Tasks and Powers Act significantly upgraded the police restraining order. Police officers may impose such a measure on the offender not only on the scene of the offence, but also immediately after the offender has been apprehended, regardless of location. An offender who has repeatedly violated a restraining order may be detained by the Police and, at the same time, a fine may be imposed. For the cases when the place that the offender must not approach is an education institution attended by a victim who is a child or a minor, the legal basis was added to inform the relevant personnel at the education institutions of the duration of the restraining order or other information vital to the protection of the victim.

Para 78) With a view to raising public awareness, the Police publish on its web page, in several foreign languages, information on domestic violence and on police procedures.

Para 79) Housing capacities for women victims of violence have increased. One of the safe houses has also been adapted for the needs of disabled persons. One crisis centre has been adapted for the needs of older people. The network of crisis centres and shelters expanded to regions in which such services were previously unavailable, and the housing capacities for victims of violence are currently provided for.

Para 80) NGOs caution about the changed criminal offence of threat under Article 135 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates that the threatening of the security of another person without any consequences and when only one person is involved is liable to private prosecution. This change was made particularly due to prosecutors' experience of a large number of withdrawn complaints of injured parties during the later stages of the procedure. The adequacy of this solution is being reviewed in 2014.

Para 81) The available statistics show the improved effectiveness of justice in terms of prosecutions and conviction related to the offence of domestic violence under Article 191 of the Criminal Code.

National Report:
Para 28) The Solomon Islands Public Service has sensitised Gender in Governance, specifically on women leadership, organizing a workshop to incorporate “Women in Leadership” in the Public Service Strategy.
Para 29) The Political Parties Integrity Act 2014 supports women in leadership and sets out a quota of 10% of Political Party membership must consist of women members. Solomon Islands Parliament has seen a growing number of women taking up Parliament seats, for the 11th Parliament there are now four elected women.
Para 34) A draft Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy (GESI) has been put together by the Ministry of Public Service with the goal to increase women in decision making and leadership positions. Closing the gap of women under-representation in senior government positions. Advancing Gender equality across the board in all areas of the public service.
Para 35) Women are increasing their representation in the paid workforce especially in the service, technical and managerial positions. Despite this growing trend, more needs to be done in getting more women in positions of leadership.
Para 36) Solomon Islands Public Service has adopted a Public Service Transformation Strategy to sensitize gender in governance and gender equality. Workshops and consultation have been led by the Public Service Governance and Performance Management Division in support of developing women in leadership strategy.
Para 38) Solomon Islands 11th Parliament has four elected women out of the current 49 sitting Members of Parliament. There are two women Cabinet Ministers out of the 21 Ministers. The Solomon Islands National Election Commission is headed by a woman as well.
Para 39) Solomon Islands Political Party Integrity Act 2014 provides for 10% of seats within Parties shall be reserved for female members. This is an initiative to keep encouraging women to take on leadership roles in all spheres of the decision-making process.
Para 57) Gender mainstreaming workshop was conducted by the Ministry of Public Service in May 2018, for Human Resource Managers and Gender Focal points in the Public Service.
Para 58) The economic empowerment of women remains a priority of the government for women to realize their human rights. Six focused areas of the economic empowerment agenda are: • Gender mainstreaming; • Financial inclusion through finance literacy; • Provide enterprise development and business training; • Creating an enabling environment; • Research and knowledge sharing; • Strengthen the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA).
Para 59) With the support of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, the establishment of saving clubs and access to microfinance and credit for women is growing in particular for market vendors. Women’s Development Division of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs is in the final stages of completing a savings guide. To date, there is around 116 savings club across Solomon Islands.
Para 60) The amendment of the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund Act (2018) provides a framework to establish a National Provident Fund “YouSave” programme, for long term savings scheme and retirement funds for the rural populations. The programme allows for many without Bank accounts to open an account to their name.
Para 61) Solomon Islands National Gender Equality and Women’s Development policy aligns the national framework with the international and regional commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Para 62) The Government is conducting a nationwide consultation on the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill. The proposed bill is to promote, preserve and recognize traditional norms, values and practice: especially the matrilineal system practiced by a number of diverse ethnic and tribal populations in the country. The proposal is to have customary law reflect the matrilineal system in the decision making of traditional governance structures.

UN Compilation:
Para 31) The United Nations country team noted that women in Solomon Islands remained underrepresented in formal employment. Women comprised 46 per cent of the formal labour market and 36 per cent of employees in public service. Discriminatory provisions in the Labour Act 1960 restricted women’s employment rights.
Para 39) The United Nations country team noted that in the 2019 election, only 4 of the 13 political parties had endorsed more than the required 10 per cent of women candidates under the 2014 Political Parties Act. However, more women had become affiliated with political parties: 65 per cent of women contested as members of political parties in 2019, as opposed to 24 per cent in 2010.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 47) JS2 noted the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs’ (MWYCFA) Temporary Special Measures intended to allocate 3 reserved seats for women in Provincial Assemblies to advance women in leadership and decision making. However, the current Provincial Government Act 1997 restricted Provinces from setting quotas for women on their Provincial Assemblies.
Para 50) JS2 noted that in the current national government, there are 3 female parliamentarians out of 50 Parliamentarians. At the provincial level, out of 172 seats, there are only 4 women. Money politics is another challenge because women have limited access to finances and are prone to be subjected to violence if they receive campaign contributions which are likely to be given by businesses or supporters who are men.
Para 53) JS1 stated that women’s right to education was not currently being adequately protected or ensured, with 54.5 per cent fulfilment for women vs. 57 per cent for men. The percentage for women had decreased by 4.5 per cent since the submission of the last UPR in 2015 (from 59 per cent to 54.5 per cent).