The Ministry of Justice in Fiji is addressing significant delays in the registration of births and deaths, which are impacting the accuracy of national records. Minister Siromi Turaga expressed concern that these issues particularly affect iTaukei communities, especially in rural areas where access to registration services is limited. Turaga noted that many children remain unregistered until they reach six years old, creating challenges in providing accurate information to government authorities.
To combat this problem, Turaga announced plans for outreach efforts, including visits to all 14 provincial offices to engage with community representatives, the Turaga ni Koros. The goal is to facilitate better organization within villages for registration services. Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, joined the call for families to prioritize prompt registration of births and deaths, stressing the importance of having a birth certificate for various crucial aspects of life, such as accessing education or conducting business.
This initiative echoes previous efforts to enhance birth registration, with Turaga’s ministry currently aiming for a 100 percent registration rate within the next two years. As part of their strategy, they have been conducting community outreach programs to raise awareness about the significance of timely registrations, which are essential for accurate population statistics and resource planning.
The push for better registration practices highlights the government’s commitment to resolving a persistent issue that undermines community engagement and effective governance. With concerted efforts to educate and empower communities, there is hope for a future where every child is accounted for, and families can stay connected to their legal and civic rights.
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