Fiji’s teenage pregnancy challenge prompts urgent calls for stronger support for young mothers
The Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, says Fiji is experiencing an uptick in teenage pregnancies, prompting renewed calls for robust support systems for young mothers.
Kiran noted that many teenage mothers face tough situations, especially when fathers are not involved, leaving young women to make difficult and sometimes impulsive choices.
She pointed to a recent incident at a university where a student abandoned her newborn on campus. The child is planned to be adopted within the family, and relatives who stepped in are praised for their support.
“I’ve met the mother and the family. They’ve made arrangements within the family to have the child adopted internally. The girl went through some difficult times, and we all make mistakes and make decisions we later regret,” Kiran said.
The minister highlighted that help is coming from student groups as well, with the Naitasiri Tertiary Students Association and University of the South Pacific (USP) students raising awareness about sexual and reproductive health, including access to contraceptives for tertiary students.
“Young people sometimes make rash decisions. We are trying to create awareness and provide support to ensure no child is abandoned,” Kiran added.
Kiran stressed the need for a comprehensive support system, including education, counseling, and helplines, to protect teenage mothers and their children and to prevent similar incidents in the future. The broader aim is to ensure communities, families, and institutions work together to provide safer options for young people facing unplanned pregnancies.
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