Fiji has introduced its first National Child Safeguarding Policy, marking a significant step forward in protecting children across all areas of society.
Fiji’s Health Minister, Dr Atonio Lalabalavu, announced that the Ministry of Health will strengthen child protection within its services by improving staff training, establishing clear reporting and referral systems, and deepening collaboration with partners through the Network Coordinating Committee. Speaking at the launch of the National Child Safeguarding Policy, he emphasised the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life for development and wellbeing, noting that health facilities often serve as the first point of contact for vulnerable children.
The policy aims to ensure that every service involving children is delivered safely, respectfully, and with their wellbeing at its core. It sets out clear responsibilities for organisations and institutions, including a mandatory Child Protection Code of Conduct, rigorous child-safe recruitment and vetting procedures such as background checks, and targeted risk-management measures.
The policy’s launch comes amid growing regional concern over child protection in the Pacific, where cultural sensitivities, limited resources, and underreporting have often allowed cases of abuse to go unseen or unaddressed.
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