Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Lynda Tabuya, met with UNICEF’s Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, Ms. June Kunugi, to discuss Fiji’s efforts in child wellbeing and opportunities for partnership.
During the meeting, held alongside the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review in Bangkok, Minister Tabuya emphasised the need for clear guidelines and better collaboration between Fiji and its development partners to achieve national child protection goals.
She updated UNICEF on Fiji’s progress with the Child Justice and Childcare and Protection Bills currently in Parliament, which aim to improve the wellbeing of children at risk or in conflict with the law. The Bills propose raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 years and empowering the Minister to lead campaigns for behavioural change.
Minister Tabuya also highlighted the need for funding to implement the Bills and strengthen the capacity of local authorities and courts to enforce them.
On labour mobility, Minister Tabuya commended the Australian government for the Family Accompaniment Pilot, which is the program where families reunite with their parents on the PALM scheme.
The discussions included UNICEF’s partnership in conducting a “Community Attitude Survey” in Fiji and supporting the hosting of the first ever Pacific Child Well-Being Summit in Suva in February 2025, showcasing Fiji’s leadership in child care and protection.
Minister Tabuya also spoke about ongoing child-focused initiatives, including family assistance schemes and childcare allowances funded under the national budget. She also stressed the importance of addressing challenges in child protection through stronger partnerships between government agencies and ministries.