One in ten children has a disability, true numbers likely higher

Almost one in every 10 Fijian children aged two to 17 has a disability.

However, experts warn the real number is likely much higher, as thousands of children are never identified or counted.

Data from the 2021 Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey showed that 8.8 per cent of children in this age group were living with a disability, with boys (9.6 per cent) more affected than girls (7.9 per cent).

Children in urban areas (10 per cent) had higher rates than those in rural areas (7.2 per cent), while the Western Division recorded the highest rate at 10.5 per cent.

Children from the poorest households were also more affected at 9.5 per cent, compared to 7.5 per cent from the wealthiest.

However, Fiji Bureau of Statistics Data Manager Analyst Neori Kete said Fiji currently has no proper tool to measure whether children with disabilities can actually access services.

"There is currently no proper tool available to measure the inclusivity and accessibility of services for children with disability," Mr Kete said.

He called for a dedicated national survey focused entirely on children and persons with disability.

Frank Hilton Organisation chief executive Sureni Perera warned that the official figures were only scratching the surface.
"There are many children in schools right now, in communities right now, who are not a statistic. The numbers do paint a startling picture, but we need to understand this is just the tip of the iceberg," she said.

Fiji Disabled Persons Federation office manager Seinimilia Seru echoed the concern.

"If people are not identified, how can we support them if we do not know about them?" Ms Seru said.

The figures were presented on Wednesday at the National Stakeholders Dialogue on Supporting Children with Disabilities in Fiji at the Novotel Convention Centre in Lami, co-hosted by the Department of Children and UNICEF.