Government moves to confront street children crisis with national centre

The Government has taken a decisive step to address the growing number of children living and working on Fiji’s streets, with the signing of an agreement to establish a national Child Wellbeing Centre.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Habitat for Humanity Fiji to construct the centre, which will provide care, protection and rehabilitation services for street-dwelling children across all four divisions.

The move comes amid mounting concern from authorities and social workers over the increasing number of children exposed to neglect, abuse, exploitation and unsafe living conditions, particularly in urban areas.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said the initiative marked a critical milestone in strengthening Fiji’s child protection system and moving beyond short-term responses.

She said the centre was part of broader efforts to address the root causes that push children onto the streets, including family breakdown, poverty, neglect and abuse.

The Child Wellbeing Centre will offer a safe and structured environment for children in need of care and protection, providing access to social services, psychosocial support, referral pathways and reintegration programmes aimed at safely returning children to their families or communities where possible.

The project also operationalises the recently enacted Child Care and Protection Act 2024 and Child Justice Act 2024, which emphasise early intervention, rehabilitation and child-centred responses rather than punishment.

Habitat for Humanity Fiji interim national director Sangita Kumar said the organisation was honoured to partner with Government on an initiative focused on children’s safety, dignity and long-term wellbeing.

She said the collaboration brings together government leadership and community-based expertise to deliver sustainable infrastructure that supports child development while strengthening community resilience.

Construction of the centre is expected to begin once technical and implementation arrangements are finalised. The facility will be purpose-built to meet the needs of children requiring protection, care and rehabilitation.

The Government says the centre will play a central role in reducing the number of children on the streets by providing coordinated, long-term solutions rather than temporary interventions.