Fiji has launched its long-awaited National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2025-2035, setting a clear roadmap to strengthen inclusion and protect the rights of more than 120,000 Fijians living with disabilities.
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Shashi Kiran described the event as a “key milestone for inclusive governance” and thanked those who had shaped the revised policy.
“It is indeed an honour and joy to finally be talking about this. We have made it,” she said.
“The long-awaited, revised Fiji National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is finally being launched today.”
Ms Kiran said the new policy aligned Fiji’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which the country ratified in 2017, and ensured the voices of persons with disabilities were embedded in decision-making.
“This paradigm shift will ensure the philosophy ‘nothing for us without us’ is fully taken on board.”
The minister acknowledged the Fiji Disabled People’s Federation, which will lead implementation in more than 60 per cent of the 13 strategic areas identified in the plan.
She also recognised the Australian Government, SPC, and development partners supporting the policy’s roll-out, and called for “a whole-of-government approach and collaboration with the entire community”.
“Create awareness so that the 120,000 people who have at least one functioning challenge can benefit from this policy we launched today.”
Ms Kiran reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to “the creation of an equal, peaceful, barrier-free and inclusive society”, saying the new policy marked “a very exciting day” for Fiji’s disability movement.
