Government has promised stronger child protection services, better support for abuse survivors and greater involvement of children in decisions affecting them, as Fiji launches a five-year plan to address violence against children.
Launching the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Children 2026–2031, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran said the plan provided a practical roadmap for the next five years, but its success would depend on whether it brought meaningful changes to children’s daily lives.
“The true test of this plan will be how it changes children’s daily lives,” she said.
She outlined four immediate priorities of the plan including mapping child protection services nationwide, establishing an operational arm of the National Coordinating Committee for Children, creating a Children and Youth Advisory Group and strengthening frontline services through improved referral pathways, psychosocial support, and medical and forensic procedures.
She said children must also be recognised as active participants in shaping policies that affect them, rather than simply recipients of government services.
Permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca said violence against children required a coordinated response across government agencies, schools, healthcare systems, justice institutions and communities.
UNICEF Pacific Deputy Representative Roshni Basu said the Government’s willingness to confront the findings was important, particularly given the sensitivity of violence occurring within families and communities.
Recalling an engagement with children, Ms Kiran said one response that stood out was a child’s identification of the right to be loved.
She said children needed emotional connection and affection, not simply material provisions.
“Let us raise our children with love, not fear.”
