In the first six months of this year, 489 teenage pregnancies were recorded in the country. Out of this, eight girls were under 15 years while 481 girls were between 15 and 18 years old.
Fiji Police Force statistics also revealed that child sexual abuse remain the most pervasive crime committed against children in Fiji, with 4159 cases recorded between 2020 and 2024.
Speaking at the opening of the Symposium on Child Sexual Abuse in Fiji held at Novotel Hotel Convention Centre yesterday, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran said the numbers represented not only a health and welfare crisis, but also a clear indicator of statutory sexual offences involving minors.
850 teenage pregnancies recorded last year
About 850 teenage pregnancies were recorded last year, shedding light on the extent to which sexual violence is affecting school-aged children.
According to the Fiji Police Force data, at least 17 girls under the age of 15 were among the 850 cases.
However, this year eight girls under 15 years of age gave birth within the first six months while 481 girls between 15 and 18 years became mothers.
Speaking at the opening of the symposium, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran says the numbers represent not only a health and welfare crisis, but also a clear indicator of statutory sexual offences involving minors.
“These are children who should be in classrooms, not delivery wards,” said Ms Kiran, calling for stronger community oversight and improved reporting mechanisms.
She expressed concern that many teenage pregnancies linked to abuse remain unreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and pressure from families to remain silent.
“In our cultural context we often shun such cases and shut the children up especially if the perpetrator is in powerful positions, a bread winner or a leader in the community.”
“This symposium is meant to facilitate open discussions on child sexual abuse, raise awareness on this heinous crime, and to put an end to the stigmatization of victims and survivors.”
