A human rights advocate in Solomon Islands says human rights should be taught in schools.
Rose Anilabata, who is employed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community to teach human rights, says a lack of awareness and understanding of the topic is contributing to the high incidence of violence against women in the country.
She says more widespread education of human rights could reduce such crimes and says the topic should be included in the school curriculum so people learn about their rights from a young age.
"When we do these awareness programmes in the islands, we come across a lot of abuse, a lot of misunderstanding, especially with men who are not working. They abuse their wives because of lack of education. I believe it is because people don't know what human rights is. They have no respect for each other."
Rose Anilabata says many people have the misconception that human rights is a western idea and fear the consequences of it but says if it is taught in the right way, people will understand that it is about having a right to education, health, employment and basic needs.
