With the constant rise in a number of concerning issues in the country, it is critical to educate youths who can help voice and raise awareness on such matters.
One way such issues can be brought to light is through youth empowerment training in rural settings.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports in addressing such pressing issues has conducted training where youths in villages and communities are enlightened on issues like drugs and the rise in HIV/AIDS.
A recent training was conducted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports at Viseisei Village in Ba.
The training allowed the youths to learn about HIV/AIDS prevention, financial literacy, illicit drugs, mental health awareness, sexual reproductive health and rights, human trafficking awareness and cyberbullying.
On statistics related to drugs, the Fiji Police Force had recorded a total of 768 drug related cases around July this year with the Western Division alone recording 347 cases.
On HIV/AIDS cases, according to the Ministry of Health the number rose from 245 in 2022 to 415 last year – making it a national problem.
The Ministry said the program during the training involved a collaborative effort from various stakeholders such as health professionals, educators and community leaders who gave insight into such pressing problems and how it can be prevented or avoided.
The representatives according to the Ministry were dedicated to (creating a safe and empowering environment for the youths they trained).
The Ministry said that by providing participants with the knowledge and tools required to navigate such complex issues, the Ministry is committed to ensuring that their youths are well-prepared to face the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Not only did the participants learn about such pressing issues they also got a chance to interact and speak with each other through group work.
The training program is a significant step towards fostering resilient, informed, and responsible young leaders in Fiji’s communities.
