Empowering Fathers: The Key to Stronger Communities and Healthier Families

The executive director of Inspire Pacific, Ben Morrison, has emphasized the crucial role that the church and community play in promoting healthy parenting practices. Speaking at the Leaders LEAD Symposium at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, Morrison addressed the challenges of guiding the younger generation, particularly those from broken families who may struggle in the workforce.

Morrison noted that the NGO works closely with young men facing various challenges, including school dropouts and those living on the streets or in juvenile detention. He highlighted that all the boys they assist are iTaukei and share a common background of fatherlessness, pointing out that these issues often stem from inadequate fathering. “When we talk about parenting, the key responsibility to parenting is fathers,” Morrison stated.

He mentioned the program “The World Needs A Father,” aimed at equipping men with the necessary skills to assume fatherly roles more effectively, stressing the importance of addressing male perpetration, as statistics show higher numbers of male offenders in societal issues, including crime and suicide. Morrison also discussed the need for collaboration among community stakeholders, including the church, to tackle the emotional challenges faced by families systematically from a grassroots level.

This discussion coincides with previous calls from leaders such as Reverend Semisi Turagavou, President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, who has raised alarm over the significant rates of child abuse and neglect within Christian households. According to a report from the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, a staggering 76 percent of abused and neglected children come from Christian families, with 75 percent of these children identified as iTaukei. Turagavou has underscored the need for parents to embrace their responsibilities and for the church to play a more active role in addressing social issues.

Both Morrison and Turagavou highlight a collective responsibility to nurture and strengthen family ties, recognizing that building a supportive network can pave the way for healthier futures for children. The discussions spark hope for collaboration among local leaders, church representatives, and community organizations—aiming to create a resilient environment for the next generation to thrive.