Teenage pregnancies in Fiji continue to be addressed predominantly through traditional family protocols, sidestepping formal legal interventions which leaves many young girls vulnerable and lacking necessary support. Save the Children Fiji’s CEO, Shairana Ali, highlights that this practice remains widespread across the region, where nearly 500 cases of teenage pregnancies were reported in the first half of this year alone.
Ali points out that families often handle these situations privately, opting for mutual agreements to raise the child together within traditional frameworks, which discourages approaching legal authorities or police. This customary route means many cases, especially in rural and maritime areas with limited welfare services, go unreported, exposing young mothers to further disadvantage.
Nalini Singh, Executive Director of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, advocates for stronger child support systems and emphasizes the need for an education curriculum that addresses sexual and reproductive health, empowering young girls to lead safe and productive lives. With many cases involving minors, underlining the importance of parental involvement is crucial. Rather than adhering to traditional protocols, advocates stress the necessity for open and supportive dialogue within families.
Exploring previous community initiatives shows a consistent call for comprehensive sexual health education as a solution to the rising cases of teenage pregnancies in Fiji. From 2016 to 2019, statistics indicated that approximately 1,000 teenage girls became mothers annually—a figure that reinforces the urgent need for sexual and reproductive health education in schools. While current educational frameworks rely on abstinence-only models, many advocate for a shift towards comprehensive sexual education to provide practical knowledge and empower young individuals.
The broad consensus among community and advocacy leaders underscores the necessity to ditch stigmas around adolescent pregnancies, encouraging a more supportive societal response and ensuring a generation that is informed and equipped to make responsible choices. By fostering an environment of open communication and education, Fiji can hope to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancies, nurturing a healthier and more supportive future for its youth. The collective aim remains to foster a community that is attentive to teenage mothers’ needs, encompassing legal, social, and educational reforms to ensure comprehensive support.