Women’s Fund Fiji strengthens child protection and safeguarding efforts in the North

Women’s Fund Fiji (WFF) is strengthening partnerships with women-led groups across the Northern Division to ensure grantee partners are equipped to create safe, inclusive and empowered spaces for women and girls.

This week, representatives from Bia-i-Cake Women’s Cooperative in Nagigi, Savusavu, Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei Cakaudrove, Taveuni Women Empowerment Support Group, and new partner Soqosoqo Vakamarama Macuata in collaboration with Nabavatu Women’s Group, took part in a two-day training on Child Protection Policy and PSEAH (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment).

The training, held at the Friendly North Inn in Labasa, was facilitated by WFF program officer Miliakere Tuidrola and Kameli Tikoitoga.

It reinforced WFF’s commitment to safeguarding practices and accountability in all areas of its work.

By engaging grantee partners in these critical conversations, WFF aims to ensure women’s groups not only strengthen their initiatives but also build safer communities where women, children and marginalised groups are protected and respected.

Taveuni Women Empowerment Support Group member Atrul Nisha said she was grateful to be part of the program, which empowers women to play an active role in protecting vulnerable groups.

“In Taveuni not much attention is given to child abuse incidences or reports because we have been focusing on violence against women more,” Ms Nisha said.
“In the past as a member of the organisation I have witnessed how parents and guardians abuse children in their care.”

She recalled a disturbing incident where a grandmother tied her young grandson, a primary school student, to a ladder and severely beat him.

“At that time, I only had knowledge of reporting such cases to the Department of Social Welfare, and the grandmother was counselled later,” Ms Nisha said.
“Now I can act as a third-party agent in my community and report the matter to the Police.”

Ms Nisha noted that cases of child abuse and violence against women in Taveuni often go unreported due to poor network connectivity, the distance of police posts from villages, financial constraints, or families reconciling issues internally.

The training concluded yesterday.