80.5% of Fijian children have experienced some form of violence

80.5% of Fijian children have experienced some form of violence, either emotional or physical and over 1,300 child protection cases were reported to the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation last year.

This has been highlighted during a meeting between Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar and UNICEF Pacific’s Representative, Jonathan Veitch.

A government statement says the high prevalence and negative impacts of violence against children, including in the context of intimate partner violence was raised as a critical issue where both the UNICEF Pacific Representative and Akbar expressed full commitment to continue to work closely together to eliminate violence against women and children.

This includes finalising and implementing childcare and protection law, establishing the Department for Children, finalising a five-year national multi-sector action plan to prevent and respond to child protection concerns as well as continuing to support the capacity building of social workers.

Veitch says child protection is the core of their work at UNICEF and they are committed to supporting the Ministry to redouble actions that ensure children in Fiji can grow up free from violence, neglect and exploitation.

He says they will continue to support the Ministry to strengthen ongoing efforts to reach every child, even in the most remote locations.

Akbar has assured the Fijian Government’s support for the advancement of ongoing cooperation with UNICEF in child protection programmes and initiatives.

She has also extended the Fijian Government’s best wishes to the new UNICEF Pacific Representative as he assumes his new role and reaffirmed that through the partnership of Fiji and UNICEF, relations would be strengthened.