AROUND seven in 10 children (70 per cent) in Fiji experience violent discipline from caregivers at home.
Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran, while highlighting this during the Save the Children “Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Prayer Vigil” held at Suva’s the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Friday, said in the first six months of this year, eight girls under the age of 15 became mothers.
“Four hundred eighty-one girls aged between 15 and 18 gave birth,” Ms Kiran said.
“In total, over 850 teenage pregnancies were recorded in 2024, including 17 among girls under the age of 15.”
She said a total of 4159 child sexual offence cases were recorded between 2020 and 2024, making sexual offences the largest category of crimes against children.
“Our Department of Children received 10,000 cases of child neglect over the past five years.
“All these data indicate that our children are not safe in their homes.”
Ms Kiran said a multidimensional poverty report launched this week also indicated that nutrition was the most critical concern among our children.
“56.1 per cent of infants are not exclusively breastfed, and 58.1 per cent of young children do not receive meals that meet international standards in quantity and variety.
“So, there is a lot of work ahead to ensure our children are protected and we look up to our faith leaders in helping us re-set the compass to protect our children.
“I acknowledge the critical role that our faith-based organisations play in guiding values, strengthening families, and promoting environments rooted in compassion and respect.
“When I see small children in our care homes, on our streets from broken families, I have wondered how do we strengthen family values.
“I know many faith traditions provide counselling before marriage but I wonder if there is scope to provide parenting classes and parenting support and marriage support for young couples.”
