Reverend Semisi Turagavou, the President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, has called on parents to take their responsibilities seriously as concerns about child neglect rise.
A recent report from the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection indicates that 76 percent of children who have experienced abuse and neglect in Fiji come from Christian households. The data further reveals that 75 percent of these affected children are of iTaukei descent. Reverend Turagavou expressed that the significant number of incidents within Christian families casts a negative light on the community.
“We recognize that this is a problem that cannot be ignored,” Reverend Turagavou stated. “We accept our full responsibility because social issues at home persist despite many awareness initiatives.”
In an effort to tackle these pressing social challenges, the church is contemplating the reduction of some programs currently conducted by its circuits. Reverend Turagavou emphasized that certain church activities have been detracting from quality family time, which has raised concerns among members.
He noted that many congregants allocate excessive hours to church commitments, which affects their family interactions. “Our focus is on strengthening the family unit, as this is where we need to begin. If we neglect this, the adverse effects will undoubtedly affect the children,” he remarked.
“We aim to collaborate with our congregation to reinforce family ties, which is essential in addressing these issues,” Reverend Turagavou concluded.