Mereseini Vuniwaqa:110,000 Fijians Living With Disability

More than 110,000 Fijians above the age of three are living with some form of disability.

This was highlighted in Parliament yesterday by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mere Vuniwaqa.

“As per the most recent census data, 13.7 per cent of our population is living with at least one functioning challenge. This may look like a small percentage, but it equates to 113,595 persons over the age of three years to be precise,” she said.

“We have the responsibility and obligation to ensure that the best interest of these Fijians with disabilities is protected in every aspect of life.”

Programmes in place

She told the house of the programmes Government had in place to assist these Fijians.

“We are far from the finish line in achieving our obligations in this area.

But I must say we have made a bullet start by putting in place the strongest legal platform ever, through the 2013 Constitution and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, which mandates Government and the non-government sector to take action to ensure that the rights of persons living with disabilities are recognised.”

Edited by Percy Kean