The Government is committed to protection of child welfare says the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Permanent Secretary, Mr Govind Sami.
This is being done through the implementation of appropriate legislations and laws as articulated in the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio Economic Development for 2009 to 2014.
“We have in place legislations such as Juveniles Act Cap 56, Adoption of Infants Act Cap 58, Probation and Community Work Act Cap 22, Family Law Act, Crimes Decree, Domestic Violence Decree and Child Welfare Decree to protect children from abuse and harm,” Mr Sami said.
“Fiji has also signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and ratified the optional protocols to provide greater child welfare and protection.”
“There are also police toll free numbers 919 and 917 to report any forms of violence and abuse against children.
“The Fiji Telephone directory also has names and contacts of various service organisations. They are all our partners and any cases of abuse or neglect reported, will mean a better life for the individual.”
Mr Sami said the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (PCAN) campaign launched today was an awareness to create a better, peaceful and prosperous Fiji where rights of all were celebrated.
The main target of the campaign was to encourage parents and guardians to fiercely protect the welfare of their children and also advocate for children’s issues in society.
“As parents and also as citizens, who look forward to a better next generation, we have to learn and be aware of the factors that put our children at risk, we have to learn alternative and positive forms of discipline, be knowledgeable about how children develop and learn their environment and the best way to do this is to be interested in their lives and spend quality time with them at home,” Mr Sami said.