To tackle pressing social issues, Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection in Fiji, recently engaged with officials from the Colombian Secretariat for Social Integration in Bogota. This meeting aimed at exchanging valuable insights and exploring innovative solutions to mitigate exclusion, violence, and enhance child protection strategies.
The Colombian government has implemented various social integration initiatives that address challenges that are also prevalent in Fiji, particularly those affecting vulnerable communities. Minister Tabuya found inspiration in Colombia’s establishment of 20 specialized care spaces, which offer extensive support and services for individuals vulnerable to violence, child exploitation, and marginalization. These facilities operate around the clock, providing immediate care and long-term rehabilitation for those in crisis.
During her visit, Tabuya toured the Centro Amar, or Centre of Love, which is dedicated to aiding at-risk children and adolescents, including those engaged in child labor or whose parents have night jobs. The centre creates a nurturing environment focused on the children’s development and wellbeing. A key aspect of its model is the active involvement of parents in caregiving, which strengthens family units and encourages non-violent parenting practices.
Tabuya described her experience at the centre as profoundly inspiring, noting the strong relationships between staff and children and how empathy and relationship-building are integral to their family-centered approach. She stressed the importance of social integration as a core component of service delivery to vulnerable groups, emphasizing the objective of creating an inclusive society where everyone feels valued.
Drawing parallels to Fiji’s legislative reforms concerning child protection, Tabuya highlighted a paradigm shift from merely removing children in need to fostering family recovery. She suggested that the Colombian model provides essential insights for actualizing this vision in Fiji.
As Fiji works to enhance its social support systems and fortify families, Tabuya’s visit is particularly timely, coinciding with the forthcoming presentation of the Fiji Government Pledge to end violence against children and the First Global Minister’s Conference on Child Protection. This ongoing dialogue and learning process illustrates Fiji’s commitment to progressive changes aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable populations.
In summary, Minister Tabuya’s engagement with Colombian officials marks a forward-thinking approach in addressing the critical issues faced by vulnerable communities in Fiji, demonstrating a willingness to learn from global best practices to foster social integration and protect children.
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