The Government has allocated $30,000 in the 2026-2027 Budget Estimates to begin the scoping of a Men’s Helpline, signalling a new initiative aimed at supporting men while addressing wider social issues.
The allocation falls under the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and comes amid growing concern over attitudes towards gender-based violence highlighted earlier this year by Minister Sashi Kiran.
Speaking in Parliament in April during her ministerial statement on the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SCORE) Index Assessment for Fiji, Kiran revealed that more than 70 percent of young men aged between 18 and 35 endorse beliefs and social norms that normalise or justify violence against women under certain circumstances.
She said the findings showed that 31 percent of respondents believed women who publicly speak about abuse by their husbands should be shamed, while 22 percent believed women should tolerate violence to preserve family unity.
Kiran said the results reflected the deep entrenchment of harmful gender norms and the social acceptance of coercion and silence.
She told Parliament the findings underscored the urgent need for transformative, gender-responsive approaches and targeted engagement with young men to challenge harmful attitudes, shift behaviours and prevent violence.
The Minister stressed that the SCORE Assessment does not stigmatise any group but serves as a tool to reflect lived experiences and perceptions, helping inform policy and social development planning.
Despite identifying areas of concern, Kiran said the assessment also found that Fiji continues to have strong foundations of social cohesion, with generally high levels of trust and openness towards peaceful coexistence and reconciliation.
While the Budget Estimates do not outline how the proposed Men’s Helpline will operate, the $30,000 allocation indicates the Government will begin the planning and scoping phase of the initiative during the 2026-2027 financial year.
