Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, emphasized the critical role home environments play in the issue of homelessness among children in Fiji. While the government can implement measures to deter children from migrating to urban areas, she argues that the home setting and parental influence are pivotal factors.
Tabuya pointed to various pressures and family issues that lead many children to live on the streets. To better understand the situation, the government has established a Taskforce dedicated to investigating the high number of homeless children. This initiative aims to identify the root causes, which Tabuya notes include familial pressure, substance abuse, abuse, and parental negligence.
Despite efforts to remove children from street life and place them in rehabilitation centers, Tabuya highlighted a shortfall in trained professionals available to adequately care for these vulnerable young individuals.
In response to questions about how children are placed in homes, Tabuya stated that there is a Regulatory Order in effect. This ensures that children placed in care are appropriately separated from those who may pose risks to their safety.
The increasing number of street-dwelling children is a growing concern for the government, symbolizing broader challenges the nation faces regarding homelessness and social inequality.
This situation calls for urgent action and collaborative efforts from both the government and communities to create supportive environments for families and children, ultimately aiming to reduce the number of vulnerable children on the streets. Ideal solutions could involve improved family support programs and increased funding for rehabilitation and care facilities.
In a positive light, the establishment of a Taskforce represents a proactive step toward addressing this issue. With adequate resources and a commitment to tackling the underlying problems, there is hope that positive changes will emerge for vulnerable children in Fiji.
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