In efforts to improve service delivery for social protection program recipients, the Ministry in collaboration with Partnerships 4 Social Protection facilitated the Fiji Proxy Means Test (PMT) Workshop today which was opened by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection Permanent Secretary, Ms. Eseta Nadakuitavuki.
The workshop, conducted by experts from the Partnerships for Social Protection (P4SP) program, is part of a series of collaborative sessions conducted to prepare the Ministry to roll out the reform of the Government’s 6 social protection schemes.
In her address, PS Nadakuitavuki expressed her anticipation for an update to the Ministry’s current Proxy Means Test, a crucial tool used to assess eligibility for the Family Assistance Scheme.
She emphasised that this review aligns with several strategic objectives outlined in Fiji’s social assistance policy saying, “The review of the PMT and update of the model is very much in line with several of the strategic areas highlighted in our social assistance policy including the need to adopt appropriate, gender-responsive and affordable social assistance programs; and achieving cost-effective selection processes to attain policy objectives, and ultimately, stronger impacts for the poor and vulnerable,” Ms. Nadakuitavuki remarked.
She further noted Fiji’s pioneering role in introducing a formalised social assistance program in the 1920s, which has since evolved into a comprehensive system of six core programs targeting various vulnerabilities across the life cycle.
“Fiji is now proud to have one of the most advanced social assistance systems in the region, but we also recognize that there is always room for us to improve this system and to better serve our population,” she added.
The workshop underscores the strong collaboration and partnership between the Government of Australia, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the P4SP program, and the Ministry along with other key government partners.
In his address, Mr. Andrew Shephard, Acting Deputy High Commissioner for Australia, highlighted the importance of reforms of this nature, acknowledging the significant time and resources required across government to implement them. He reiterated the Australian Government’s commitment to supporting the Ministry in this important initiative, which is central to their development cooperation efforts.
“This support to social protection is part of the broader Vuvale partnership between Fiji and Australia, focusing on the most vulnerable in our societies,” Mr. Shephard said.
The two-day workshop is being attended by senior welfare officers from various divisions across Fiji. It reflects the continued efforts to strengthen Fiji’s social protection systems to ensure a better and more equitable future for all Fijians.