90% of people in old age homes are Indo-Fijians and more Indo-Fijian elderly are committing suicide – Kiran

90 percent of the people in our old people's homes are Indo-Fijians and along with that, more Indo-Fijian older people are committing suicide.

This has been highlighted by Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran while speaking during the Naari Kala Sangam as part of the 2025 Sanatan Convention in Lautoka.

Kiran says many people going abroad are leaving their elders and the disabled family members behind.

She says drugs are also affecting our families where even children are using it and this is something that the women talk to the Ministry about.

Kiran also says while we worship mothers in many of our homes, the reality is that many of them are deeply sad due to the violence they experience.

The Ministry says tragically, this issue is not confined to Fiji — our people who have migrated abroad, including to Australia and New Zealand, are also facing high levels of domestic violence.

Kiran says together with the Nari Sabha, they want to explore how they can better support women—especially those living alone—and ensure that our elders, who have brought thus this far.

She is requesting the Sabha to continue lobbying on these important issues—whether it’s the impact of drugs, the wellbeing of our elders, or fostering peace and unity and ask how can we take these forward together.

The Minister is also urging the Sabha to register the women’s group with the Ministry of Women for free where they can get access to free services such as leadership training, confidence building, mediation training and and domestic violence.