Twelve young people have been successfully removed from the streets and placed in safe environments as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable youths from the dangers of street life.
The operation, led by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection in partnership with the Fiji Police Force, is part of a wider integrated strategy to provide sustainable exit pathways for children caught in cycles of loitering and street dwelling in urban centres.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran on Friday joined stakeholders for their weekly Inter-Agency Exit Strategy Pathway Partnerships meeting, held at the Ministry’s conference room.
Over the past week, the Ministry’s Social Protection Officers, working closely with police, successfully reunited several children with their families. Others have been placed in rehabilitation centres to receive care, counselling, and skills training aimed at helping them reintegrate into society and eventually gain employment.
“We are deeply concerned about the risks children face on our streets, from drug abuse and violence to the threat of HIV infection,” a Ministry statement said.
“Our commitment remains firm, to remove children from unsafe environments and help them rebuild their lives with dignity.”
“We sincerely thank Kauwai Home, Pearly Gates Home, and Chevalier Training Facility for providing shelter and rehabilitation support for the children, as well as the Fiji Police Force for their tireless commitment,” the Ministry said.
“Their partnership is vital to our mission of protecting Fiji’s most vulnerable.”