Fiji Unveils Bold Pacific SRHR Push to Empower Women

Fiji Launches Pacific SRHR Drive with Free Family Planning Rollout

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Fiji is reaffirming its commitment to enhancing the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of women and girls, recognizing the critical importance of this initiative for health, human rights, gender equality, and economic development. During the launch of the Advancing Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Adolescent Health Project, Assistant Minister for Health, Penioni Ravunawa, highlighted troubling trends impacting sexual and reproductive health, including increasing fertility rates, considerable unmet family planning needs, and a rise in adolescent births throughout the Pacific region.

The project will be implemented in three Pacific Island nations: Fiji, Vanuatu, and Tonga, with an initial funding of NZD 2.6 million from New Zealand. Ravunawa pointed out that the average maternal mortality ratio in the region significantly exceeds the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, emphasizing an urgent need for intervention.

Despite existing frameworks like the Pacific Sexual Health and Wellbeing Shared Agenda and the 2050 Pacific Blue Strategy Implementation Plan designed to enhance reproductive health, progress has been slow, with many areas experiencing stagnation. The rising risk of HIV has compounded these challenges, particularly in regions characterized by geographical isolation, inadequate healthcare resources, and persistent socio-cultural stigmas that hinder the delivery of SRMNAH services.

Ravunawa reassured citizens that all health facilities in Fiji are now providing free family planning services, improving access to modern contraceptive methods aimed at enhancing reproductive health outcomes for women and girls. He underscored the necessity of collective effort for the project’s success, highlighting that strong collaboration will be vital in overcoming existing barriers and achieving desired health outcomes.

This initiative builds upon previous health policies in Fiji, including the recently launched National Family Planning Policy, which aims to combat teenage pregnancies and improve access to reproductive health services. This ongoing commitment to improving women’s health represents more than just a health campaign; it embodies a broader societal movement toward empowering women and youth with the information and resources needed to make informed reproductive choices.

By focusing on education and increasing resource availability, Fiji is establishing a foundation for transformative change, instilling hope for a healthier and more empowered future for its younger population. By prioritizing sexual and reproductive health, the country aspires to create substantial social and economic impacts, showcasing a proactive strategy for laying the groundwork for a sustainable future in the Pacific.

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