One in four Fijians are living beneath the basic needs poverty line, as revealed by Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Sashi Kiran. This statement emerged during her address to the Leadership Fiji 2025 cohort, highlighting findings from the 2019-2020 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES). Kiran disclosed that 25 percent of the population earns less than $41.91 per week, with 75 percent earning less than double that amount.
The minister emphasized the instability of income for many families, illustrating a critical need for social protection services. Kiran noted that social protection not only helps families manage life’s challenges but also encourages local spending, which supports the economy. The Ministry focuses on four pivotal areas: child protection, social protection, gender empowerment, and poverty monitoring.
In her remarks, Kiran detailed the various risks affecting Fijians, including disability, unemployment, and domestic violence. She outlined two main types of social protection available in Fiji: government-financed assistance and contributory schemes. The former encompasses programs like the Family Assistance Scheme, Care and Protection Allowance, Disability Allowance, and Social Pension Scheme. Contributory schemes include the Fiji National Provident Fund, where both workers and employers contribute to savings for retirement or emergencies.
Additionally, those receiving government assistance can access supplementary services such as free medical care, housing support, and services for gender-based violence prevention. The framework implemented by Kiran’s ministry aims to support Fijians from early childhood and throughout their lives, addressing the various challenges they face.
The insights presented align with broader efforts by the Fijian government to enhance social welfare systems and support vulnerable populations. Recent assessments indicate an increase in welfare assistance recipients, which reflects the government’s ongoing commitment rather than a reduction in support. Such efforts herald a hopeful future where continued improvements in social protection can lead to greater stability and resilience for Fijian families across the nation.
By reinforcing these systems, Fiji demonstrates a commitment to building a more inclusive society, capable of fostering hope and better living conditions for all its citizens.
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