Addressing the issue of child homelessness and street life in Fiji, driven largely by poverty, is a complex challenge requiring coordinated efforts from both governmental and community organizations. Ratu Inoke Drauna, founder of Aruka Fiji, has emphasized the harsh realities faced by children forced onto the streets. Many of them abandon education to earn money or find food, often falling into dangerous situations such as selling illegal substances like glue or drugs. This issue is exacerbated when overwhelmed parents, struggling with poverty, neglect their children, making them vulnerable to exploitation and harm.
Long-term measures like care allowances for single mothers are seen as crucial to prevent children from resorting to street life. Minister Sashi Kiran of the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Protection highlights the necessity of monitoring children involved in commercial activities and ensuring that families receive assistance through social protection allowances or support for income-generating activities. This approach aims to provide a sustainable lifeline for families in distress.
Drawing insights from similar cases, Fiji’s child protection laws are being reinforced through the collaborative efforts of government agencies, law enforcement, and community groups, all of whom recognize the multifaceted nature of child vulnerability and the need for protective frameworks. Previous reports have pointed out that the root causes of child homelessness and labor are intricately tied to family breakdown, lack of access to education, and the lure of informal economies.
Experts have called for communities, especially churches and local organizations, to play a more active role in providing safe environments where vulnerable children can receive support and guidance. The community’s involvement is crucial, as government efforts alone cannot solve the issue. This collective responsibility also extends to addressing the broader scope of child protection through the establishment of task forces dedicated to understanding and tackling the core issues leading to child homelessness and exploitation.
The situation demands urgent and comprehensive responses. While progress is ongoing, these efforts reflect a commitment to providing a safer, more supportive environment where every child has the opportunity to build a better future, underscoring the critical nature of both immediate and long-term interventions in combating child vulnerability in Fiji.
Leave a comment