Save the Children Fiji reports that collaborative community efforts are making significant strides in improving child protection through their project, “Collective Action to End Violence Against Children,” which runs from 2021 to 2025. This initiative has reached 24 communities and engaged nearly 3,100 individuals, comprising 1,880 adults and 1,229 children. It has brought together various stakeholders, including parents, community and church leaders, police, government agencies, and children, to foster a culture of zero tolerance towards violence against children.
The outcomes of the project indicate a remarkable increase in parental awareness regarding child protection systems, with 87 percent of parents exhibiting a high understanding compared to none at the outset. Moreover, there has been a notable decline in the use of physical punishment — the percentage of caregivers reporting that they smacked a child at least a few times in the previous month dropped from 71 percent to 52 percent.
Households reported a positive shift in behavior, with 82 percent of parents acknowledging improvements in their discipline practices. Additionally, 81 percent of children noted that they had observed changes in how their parents interacted with them and others in their communities.
Confidence in addressing child protection concerns has also seen an upturn, with 89 percent of adults stating they felt more comfortable reporting issues to the police or social welfare services. Save the Children Fiji emphasizes the right of every child to grow up in a secure, supportive family environment devoid of violence. Though many children in Fiji still face threats to their safety in homes, schools, and communities, the project has effectively reinforced national child protection systems, enhanced community capacities, and encouraged positive family dynamics. This demonstrates the power of coordinated community action in fostering safer environments for children across the nation.
Leave a comment