According to Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Fiji is facing a shortage of child psychologists and psychiatrists. During a media conference, she highlighted the need for improved child support services, noting that the ministry is encountering difficulties in recruiting professionals capable of working with children.
“The Government is dedicated and prepared to provide these essential services to children,” she stated. Ms. Tabuya mentioned that child welfare offices are undergoing training to better manage the psychological needs of children.
She called upon the Ministries of Education and Health to work on attracting psychologists and psychiatrists to Fiji. Additionally, she appealed to non-governmental organizations to contribute to the protection of children.
Ms. Tabuya announced that the ministry is in the process of developing the first National Action Plan aimed at preventing violence against children. The plan will concentrate on five key areas: traditional settings, immediate settings, educational contexts, faith-based environments, and family units.
“By taking a holistic approach to the family, we can better support child welfare and ensure the well-being of all family members,” she concluded.