Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa has called for the creation of a National Teenage Pregnancy Response Taskforce to address the escalating teenage pregnancy crisis.
Revealing teenage pregnancy statistics in Parliament yesterday, Mr Ravunawa said the taskforce should be mobilised like that which was mobilised during COVID-19.
“I propose that we establish a national framework for inter-ministerial coordination, with regular meetings, cooperative budgeting, and joint accountability,” he said.
“Let this Parliament declare with one voice, teenage pregnancy is a national priority.
“Ending the stigma is our shared duty. Protecting our children is our sacred responsibility.”
Mr Ravunawa said teenage pregnancy was more than a health statistic, “it is a mirror reflecting the failures of our society — but also an opportunity to act with courage and compassion”.
“If we continue with business as usual, the numbers will rise, the cycles of abuse and poverty will deepen, and Fiji’s future will be compromised.
“But if we act together — Government, families, churches, communities, and the private sector — we can turn the tide.”
Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu supported Mr Ravunawa’s proposal for the establishment of the national framework for inter-ministerial coordination.
