New policy aims to shield children from harm

Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said the National Child Safeguarding Policy, launched at Novotel Lami, Suva, today will bridge the gap between laws and child protection implementation. 

“This policy provides practical guidance for agencies and communities to translate legal obligations into effective action,” she said.  

“It connects law with implementation and commitment with everyday practice.”  

Ms Kiran said violence against children continues to be one of Fiji’s most pressing social issues, costing the nation an estimated $460 million annually, or 4.23 per cent of GDP.  

Ms Kiran said, “each of these statistics represents an innocent child suffering harm in the very places where they should feel safest”.   

She mentioned that over 63 per cent of sexual offenses reported to police last year were against children, including nine infants below the age of five.  

“We find young children burdened with the responsibilities of looking after adults with mental health issues, children caught in drug trades, and teenage girls delivering babies every year,” she said.  

Ms Kiran also acknowledged the tireless work of child protection officers and health workers across Fiji.  

“It really takes every individual on the ground to care enough to make sure children get the support they need,” she said.  

She concluded by urging all organisation, government, private, faith-based, and community groups to adopt and implement safeguarding mechanisms.  

“Now let us make this policy come alive beyond the paper it is written on,” she said.  

“Collectively, we can build protection systems across Fiji to ensure every child’s safety.”