5 out of every 6 children in Fiji face abuse or are neglected - Tabuya

Statistics show that five out of every six children in Fiji are abused or neglected by their families.

This was revealed by Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya while providing background on the challenges Fiji is encountering regarding child rights and wellbeing.

Tabuya says there has been an increase in children losing parents and carers due to labour mobility and the rise in online predation targeting children in Fiji and the Pacific.

The Minister acknowledged UNICEF for their long-standing partnership and through technical expertise, funding, mentoring and advice which has enabled the Ministry to advance its work in the area of advancing child rights and effective intervention in violence against children.

Tabuya says the role of the Government extends beyond fulfilling the commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

She says it is important to drive the elevation of child rights and well-being as a strategic priority for Fiji and create both a government and public perception that children’s rights, their development, and their wellbeing, are essential to Fiji and its future.

Tabuya says there has been significant progress made in Fiji in terms of advancing child rights and intervention in violence against children.

She says this is evident through the introduction of two Bills to Parliament that have been 11 years in the making and they are the Child Care and Protection Bill and the Child Justice Bill.

She adds the vision is to have a National Action Plan to eliminate Violence against Children, as well as the development of the proposed Child Wellbeing Centre.

Tabuya emphasised the need for continued partnership and collective participation in the crucial area of child rights and protection to ensure a safer and more inclusive society for all children.