The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) has called for the Draft Education Bill 2025 to incorporate clearer and more specific legal protections aimed at ensuring the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of girls in educational settings. During a presentation to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law, and Human Rights in Suva, FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh emphasized that while the Bill seeks to modernize Fiji’s education laws, it falls short in providing strong mandates that address today’s social and health challenges confronting children.
Singh asserted that educational legislation must extend beyond general principles to include enforceable protections that reflect the on-ground realities faced by students, particularly girls. A significant concern highlighted by FWRM is the lack of a requirement for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in the draft. Singh pointed out alarming statistics showing that Fiji recorded 1,583 new HIV cases in 2024, marking a dramatic 13-fold increase compared to the five-year average. Among those newly reported cases, 41 percent involved children aged 15 or younger, signifying a troubling rise from the previous year.
Research indicates that providing age-appropriate sexuality education can enhance health and safety outcomes for youth. Singh underscored that evidence from global reviews demonstrates that high-quality, comprehensive sexuality education does not lead to an increase in early sexual activity but instead is associated with postponed sexual initiation and an uptick in safer behaviors.
Additionally, FWRM expressed grave concerns regarding the absence of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) standards in the Bill, noting that inadequate facilities hinder girls’ educational participation. Singh revealed that 45 percent of female students in both primary and secondary schools dropped out in 2025, citing sanitation as a crucial issue. For many girls, the lack of clean toilets, privacy, and proper menstrual hygiene disposal contributes directly to absenteeism and dropouts.
She further articulated that the absence of specific measures addressing menstrual hygiene needs would hinder compliance with existing standards. Many schools currently struggle with non-functional taps and unclean toilets, exacerbating the issue. Singh also shared that between 2020 and 2024, Fiji experienced 7,283 crimes against children, of which girls constituted 70 percent of victims, with nearly 69 percent being adolescents aged 13 to 17 years.
Regarding safeguarding, Singh emphasized that schools must implement robust protection systems manned by trained professionals rather than placing excessive responsibilities on teachers, who are already overstretched. She strongly believes that ensuring child safety in schools is an essential duty of the educational framework.
Moreover, FWRM has recommended that all employees in the education sector complete mandatory Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) training. The organization also advocates for the placement of professional, gender-sensitive counselors in schools and explicit legal stipulations providing reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities.
Singh addressed concerning provisions in the Bill that may criminalize parents for not sending their children to school. She argued that such a punitive measure could overlook the various structural barriers parents face, such as poverty and safety concerns.
In her closing remarks, Singh urged legislators to adopt a rights-based and supportive approach to educational reform, asserting that clearer safeguards within the Bill would significantly enhance protections for all children in Fiji. By addressing these critical issues, there is hope for more inclusive and equitable educational experiences for every child, particularly for girls who continue to face significant barriers.