Fiji has joined the global observance of the International Day of the Girl Child, as highlighted by the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, who spoke about the critical role of empowering and protecting girls in the nation. The Minister acknowledged the remarkable strengths and potential of Fiji’s girls while also addressing the challenging realities they confront daily.
In 2023, the Ministry reported handling 1,977 child welfare cases through the Child Helpline and partner agencies, with a staggering 62% attributed to neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Furthermore, data from the Fiji Police Force revealed that 63% of all reported sexual offenses last year were directed toward children, which alarmingly included 755 incidents of sexual violence, involving 29 infants under the age of five.
These statistics underscore a troubling upward trend from previous years, exemplifying a society struggling to provide safe environments for its youngest members. The Minister shared that in the first half of the year, eight girls under the age of 15 became mothers, alongside 481 girls aged 15 to 19 who also gave birth. Each of these incidents signifies a childhood lost and a compromised future.
Despite these sobering circumstances, the Minister firmly believes in the possibility of fostering change through collective community efforts. She called for a united front to end sexual violence, thwart online exploitation, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure every girl in Fiji feels secure both online and offline.
In reflecting upon this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, the Minister emphasized a pledge to protect the rights of all girls, affirming that no child should be left behind. She urged communities to raise boys who respect girls as equals and advocate for environments where every girl has the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead without fear.
The observance serves both as a celebration of achievements and a poignant reminder of the shared responsibility to create a Fiji where girls live free from violence, discrimination, and fear. The Minister’s commitment lays a hopeful foundation for a future where every girl experiences love, safety, and empowerment.