Child protection must be a priority for every community: Minister
She said child sexual abuse, neglect and violence continued to occur, as reflected in cases reported by the media and before the courts across Fiji.
Thursday 30 July 2026 | 13:30
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran (wearing garland) with women in Rabi Island on July 27, 2026.
Photo: Supplied
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran has urged village councils, district advisory councillors, and women's and men's groups in the North to make child protection a key development priority amid ongoing concerns over child abuse, neglect and violence.
Speaking after a three-day visit to Rabi Island, Udu district and Seaqaqa yesterday, Ms Kiran said child protection remained a major concern.
She said child sexual abuse, neglect and violence continued to occur, as reflected in cases reported by the media and before the courts across Fiji.
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"It could be because there are a lot of movement happening and we have many nuclear families," Ms Kiran said.
"We have seen many children being neglected and we also have children from Vanua Levu being admitted to our orphanages in Suva."
Ms Kiran said stronger relationships between parents and children would help families identify problems early.
"If parents engage with their children regularly, they will know what they are going through," she said.
"Active parenting is what we are asking for so that children do not turn to drugs."
She said this was why she had urged village and district leaders, as well as women's and men's groups, to place children higher on their development agenda.
Ms Kiran said the ministry would continue its efforts to address gender-based violence and support children through its programmes.
