iTaukei Ministry commits to improving child protection
This commitment, taken at a recent workshop passed by the 14 Roko Tui’s who will be based in each province in the country, came about after a presentation from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs staff and the United Nations Nations Children Fund (Pacific) or UNICEF Pacific.
The presentation highlighted the plight of children in Fiji who experience abuse, violence, neglect and exploitation.
The Roko Tui’s announcement comes after the establishment of the Child Welfare Decree 2010, and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs signing on as a partner to the Government of Fiji/UNICEF Child Protection Multiyear Workplan 2011-2012, in February this year.
This paved the way for the creation of a child protection policy in June.
Yesterday marked the first child protection awareness presentation for the 14 Roko Tui. The presentation was made by the acting deputy secretary, Ms Loata Vakacegu.
She was joined by UNICEF Pacific Child Protection Program’s chief Johanna Eriksson Takyo; UNICEF Pacific child protection officer Laisani Petersen; Child Protection Communications consultant, Jodi Qereqeretabua and Social Welfare senior child protection officer Clement Dari.
The newly drafted policy maps out strategies and activities iTaukei institutions will implement to ensure children develop to their full potential in an environment free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The ministry and the iTaukei Affairs Board is now planning the use of its existing and biggest network to engage communities in the development of child protection plans and strategies, with the Roko Tui leading the way.
The commitment by heads of the largest community network in the country to this issue, indicates how important children are to the people of Fiji.
The Ministry for iTaukei Affairs permanent secretary, Savenaca Kaunisela emphasised that all existing iTaukei mechanisms would be thoroughly utilised to drive the awareness program. He is keen to see the program penetrate all 1169 villages.
The ministry begins its preliminary engagement with stakeholders and partners for the program shortly, followed by the first lot of training later in the year.
UNICEF’s Child Protection Program chief Johanna Eriksson Takyo said she was encouraged and impressed by the immediate attention the ministry and the board gave to children’s issues.
“The ministry has shown a serious commitment to the safety and well-being of the children of Fiji, first by endorsing the research done in 2008, then by signing up as a partner to the child protection multiyear work plan and now by endorsing the use of the country’s largest community network to spread the word of love, care and protection of Fiji’s children,” Takyo said.
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