Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection in Fiji, announced that the economic toll of violence against children in the country amounts to an alarming $460 million. This finding comes from a joint study conducted by her ministry and UNICEF, designed to assess the financial implications of such violence.
During her remarks on the recently approved Childcare and Protection Bill, Ms. Tabuya emphasized the study’s startling statistics. It revealed that approximately 81% of children aged one to 14 years experience various forms of violent discipline, while 65% encounter psychological aggression and 68% face physical punishment during their lives.
The survey also identified a troubling issue: poly-victimization, which refers to a child enduring multiple types of abuse. In response to these concerning statistics, the Minister highlighted that the newly passed Childcare and Protection Bill is a significant step taken by the Coalition government to address these challenges.
The national development plan is geared toward eliminating violence against children through effective policies and organized referral networks. Furthermore, this legislation moves away from the outdated Child Protection approach, which has been in place for over half a century. That traditional method focused primarily on rescue and removal, neglecting the importance of a child’s holistic development within their family and community environments.
The Childcare and Protection Bill was successfully passed by Parliament on Thursday, marking a hopeful shift towards a more nurturing and protective framework for Fiji’s children.
In summary, this pivotal legislation aims to combat the pervasive issue of violence against children, potentially leading to improved outcomes for future generations. With the government taking proactive steps, there remains hope for a more supportive and secure environment for all children in Fiji.
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