Kiran says male support programmes needed, not a Department for Men

Responding to calls for a government-funded Department for Men, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran says the real need lies in building strong male alliances, role models and targeted education rather than creating a new ministry.

Kiran's remarks came after an appeal from Talatala Manasa Kolivuso during the Symposium on Child Sexual Abuse in Fiji last week at the Novotel Conference Room in Lami.

Reverend Kolivuso said it is “about time” political leaders demonstrate the will to create a department specifically tasked with addressing the behaviour of men, who are statistically the primary perpetrators of child sexual abuse.

Kiran says she hears and understands the concerns raised by Talatala Kolivuso, particularly the need for men to support other men and help shift harmful behaviour.

Kiran says the Ministry is already working to develop partnerships aimed at forming strong male alliances.

She explained that these alliances would go beyond individual male allies and instead establish structured networks of men who can “stand up and provide that role model”.