Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Sashi Kiran, has voiced significant concern regarding the safety and welfare of children, especially those under 16 years old, who are found wandering unsupervised in public areas after dark. She emphasized the grave risks these children face, including exposure to drug use, HIV infection, exploitation, abuse, robbery, road accidents, and other dangers.
In response to this alarming situation, the Ministry, collaborating with the Fiji Police Force, plans to carry out regular patrols and sweeps in identified hotspots throughout the festive season. Child Welfare Officers, alongside Labour officers, will be engaged to identify at-risk children and provide much-needed socio-economic support to families, while also taking necessary welfare-based actions as per the Child Care and Protection Act.
Kiran has urged parents and guardians to remember that children under 16 should not be left unsupervised after dark. If children are discovered loitering, they will be taken to the nearest police station, where Child Welfare Officers will offer counseling to both the children and their families. It is important for the community to be aware that repeated cases of negligence may result in legal actions aimed at reinforcing parental responsibility.
The Minister is calling upon parents, guardians, elders, and the wider community to join efforts in ensuring the safety of children during this festive time. For immediate help or to report any unsupervised children, the public is encouraged to reach out through the toll-free Child Help Line at 1325.
Kiran expressed gratitude to the Fiji Police Force and all frontline officers for their commitment to protecting children, and she reiterated her appeal for community involvement to ensure a safe, secure, and joyful festive season for all children. This initiative not only addresses immediate safety concerns but also fosters a collective responsibility for the welfare of the younger generation.
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