MINISTER FOR YOUTH & SPORTS HON. PARVEEN BALA'S OFFICIAL ADDRESS AT THE CLOSING OF THE EMPOWERMENT TRAINING ON SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS

Master of Ceremony;
Director of Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons;
Invited Guests;
Youth  Participants;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
 
Bula Vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all, I am very pleased to be with all of you here today to officiate the closing of the training on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights as well as Sports.  The success of this training is the result of the commitment of our partners.
 
This program is an opportunity for participants to gather and explore the topics of human rights, sexuality and gender, reproduction, healthy relationships, and mental health care so that they may carry these lessons throughout their lives and in every endeavour they undertake.
 
Government is committed to an inclusive policy for all Fijians regardless of your ethnicity, social background, and status in the community, culture or religious beliefs.   As your government we have put in place opportunities for young Fijians to be empowered and self-sustainable through the Ministry’s Mobile and Specific Skills empowerment and capacity building training programmes.
 
To encourage employment opportunities for persons with disabilities; Government has allowed tax incentives to Employers. This employment incentive is not a short term but a minimum period of 3 years to ensure that this incentive is beneficial to persons with disabilities in having sustainable employment.
 
This tax incentive is explained as follows:
 “An Employer is allowed a reduction of 400% of the amount of any salary or wages paid for employment of a person with disability for a consecutive period of 3 years for the employee. This incentive is available if the person with disability has been or will be employed for a consecutive period of 3 years. In the event if the person with disability is unfairly dismissed by the employer any deductions previously claimed under the incentive will be recovered. This deduction is only available if it is claimed between 1st August 2016 and 23rd December 2023. The employer’s application for registration must be supported by a medical certificate explaining the nature of disability.
 
Also other assistance from government is “Housing Assistance” which is available for persons with disabilities and for this you will need to apply to Ministry of Housing.
 
Having shared this I hope the lessons learned here will provide a foundation of practical health and medical knowledge, well-being, and respect. Upon this foundation, you  young people can build towards your dreams; whether you are building your own business, farm, pursuing a career in sports or music, or continuing with your formal education goals.
 
With your newly-acquired knowledge from this training, I hope that you will use it to guide you into making well informed decisions and responsible choices in life.

The Fijian Government is very strong in the promotion of Sports for All and the elimination of discrimination in all forms through the promotion of clean sports. There has been a rise in the allocation grant to support of National Paralympic and Special Olympic Teams to Regional and International Events.
 
We also acknowledge the assistance provided to the Fiji National Sports Commission Development Officers through the FNCDP District Officers and in collaboration, they were able to deliver programs and also educated people on the importance of promoting Sports as a basic human right.
 
Finally, I thank you all for your participation and trust that you will all return home empowered.  On that note, I now declare this training closed.
 
Vinaka and Thank you all.