{{Short description|Solomon Islands lawyer}} '''Emma Garo''' (also known as '''Emma Garo Ma’aramo)''' is a lawyer and currently Chief Magistrate in the Solomon Islands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/10/24/first-female-magistrate-solomons-role-model|title=FIRST FEMALE MAGISTRATE A SOLOMONS ROLE MODEL {{!}} Pacific Islands Report|website=www.pireport.org|language=en|access-date=2018-03-12|archive-date=2018-03-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313031802/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/10/24/first-female-magistrate-solomons-role-model|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.emtv.com.pg/emma-garo-solomon-islands-first-female-chief-magistrate/|title=Emma Garo, Solomon Islands First Female Chief Magistrate – EMTV Online|website=www.emtv.com.pg|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-09}}</ref> She was one of the first qualified women lawyers in the country.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.solomontimes.com/news/appointment-of-new-chief-magistrate/780|title=Appointment of New Chief Magistrate - Solomon Times Online|access-date=2018-03-09|language=en-us}}</ref>
Garo worked as a senior defense legal officer for the Public Solicitors Office in the Solomon Islands before being appointed a principal magistrate in 2007.<ref name=":1" />
In 2014 Garo was appointed a resident magistrate in the island state of Nauru.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/254152/nauru-appoints-woman-supreme-court-judge|title=Nauru appoints woman supreme court judge|date=2014-09-09|work=Radio New Zealand|access-date=2018-03-09|language=en-nz}}</ref> When her contract was not renewed in 2017, there was some suspicion that this was due to government interference as Garo had sentenced a number of anti-government demonstrators during her tenure.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/320219/nauru-magistrate-departs-after-contract-non-renewed|title=Nauru magistrate departs after contract non renewed|date=2016-12-12|work=Radio New Zealand|access-date=2018-03-09|language=en-nz}}</ref>
Garo has also served as a magistrate and Deputy Chief Magistrate in the Honiara Central Magistrates’ Court. In 2017 she was sworn in as the Chief Magistrate, becoming the first female Chief Magistrate in Solomon Islands.
In 2018, Garo was named Woman of Courage. The United States Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Her Excellency Catherine Ebert-Gray presented the 2018 Woman of Courage Award to Garo in honor of her courage and bravery in advocating for women rights and the protection from domestic violence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/20661-garo-gets-top-award|title=GARO GETS TOP AWARD - Solomon Star News|access-date=2021-06-02|archive-date=2021-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603014423/https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/20661-garo-gets-top-award|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Garo's exemplary actions include her assistance in facilitating the escape of an American citizen facing abuse from her husband and the prosecution of her own brother for beating his wife.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/20661-garo-gets-top-award|title=GARO GETS TOP AWARD - Solomon Star News|access-date=2021-06-02|archive-date=2021-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603014423/https://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/20661-garo-gets-top-award|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Garo, Emma}} Category:Living people Category:Solomon Islands judges Category:20th-century Solomon Islands lawyers Category:People from Guadalcanal Province Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Women judges Category:21st-century Solomon Islands lawyers Category:Solomon Islands women civil servants Category:Solomon Islands civil servants