In Fiji, where a large portion of the population is young, sexual and reproductive health remains a pressing concern for youth. At International Youth Day 2025 celebrations in Naitasiri, United Nations Population Fund Director Bidisha Pillai outlined several core challenges facing Fiji’s young people, including a high rate of teenage pregnancies and a rising number of new HIV infections among youths. Pillai underscored that teenage pregnancies and HIV remain significant issues that require urgent, effective interventions.
Despite some progress, Pillai said, many young people—especially those living in rural areas and outer islands—still lack access to essential sexual and reproductive health information and services. Addressing these gaps is essential to unlock the full potential of Fiji’s youthful population. She also stressed that sustained investment in education and health services is a critical step toward overcoming these challenges. “Empowering young people with the right knowledge and resources not only improves their health outcomes but also contributes to the broader social and economic development of Fiji,” Pillai remarked.
In response, UNFPA is working closely with the Fiji government and partners to improve education, healthcare access, and awareness. Special programs are in place to help young people make informed, safe choices about their health. These efforts include family life education for those not in school, youth-friendly health services, and national condom campaigns. These initiatives are part of a broader push to address persistent concerns about teenage pregnancies and HIV among young people, a situation highlighted by past statistics showing around 1,000 teenage girls became mothers annually between 2016 and 2019.
The emphasis on education and access reflects a shared understanding that a well-supported, well-informed youth population can drive long-term social and economic gains for Fiji. Critics and advocates alike note the importance of robust, age-appropriate sexual health education and accessible services, particularly for youths outside formal schooling, to reduce risks and improve outcomes.
What this means for Fiji going forward is clear: expanding reach to rural communities, strengthening family life education, and ensuring youth-friendly services are available and stigma-free will be crucial. Harnessing the energy and potential of Fiji’s under-25 demographic depends on turning information into action and ensuring young people can exercise their rights to health, education, and informed choice.
Summary: Fiji’s health leaders and international partners are spotlighting gaps in youth sexual and reproductive health, with emphasis on teenage pregnancies and HIV. UNFPA is backing government and community efforts to expand education, services, and information—from family life education to youth-friendly clinics and condom campaigns—aimed at empowering a large, young population and fostering long-term social and economic benefits.
Editorial notes and value adds:
– Consider including up-to-date local data on teenage pregnancy and HIV trends by region (urban vs rural, northern division, etc.) to provide more granular context.
– Highlight voices from young people and frontline health workers to give the story a human dimension.
– Link to resources on available youth-friendly services, family life education programs, and condom campaigns to help readers act on the information.
– A future-focused angle could explore how digital platforms and mobile health information can close access gaps for rural and out-of-school youths.
Rationale and potential impact:
– With roughly half of Fiji’s population under 25, investing in comprehensive, accessible sexual and reproductive health information and services is pivotal for national development. Long-term benefits include better health outcomes, reduced teenage pregnancy rates, and stronger social and economic resilience. Continued collaboration among government agencies, international partners, and communities will be essential to translate knowledge into sustainable action.
Leave a comment