THE revised service delivery protocol developed by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection is intended to make government services more accessible to people living with disabilities, including deaf individuals.
This was highlighted by the ministry’s acting director for women, Ameila Nairoba, while officiating the International Week of the Deaf 2026, saying women and girls with disabilities could face additional barriers when experiencing violence, abuse, exploitation or discrimination.
“Fiji’s national frameworks, including the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls, provide an important platform strengthening prevention, protection and coordinated responses,” Ms Nairoba said.
She said the commitment should ensure women and girls with disabilities, including deaf women and girls, were not overlooked within existing systems.
“They must be able to report violence safely. They must be heard and understood. They must have access to protection and referral services.
“For us at the ministry, this is something that we would like to develop and strengthen, not only within the ministries but also across Government in promoting the use of Braille, in every information accessed by government services.”
Ms Nairoba also highlighted the growing issue of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including online abuse, cyber attacks and stalking.
She said clear referral pathways involving the Online Safety Commission and police cybercrime units were important in responding to these forms of violence and raising public awareness.
