The Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Fiji has reaffirmed its dedication to enhancing the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of women and girls, emphasizing this initiative’s significance 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, pointed out alarming trends affecting sexual and reproductive health, such as rising fertility rates, substantial unmet family planning needs, and increasing adolescent births across the Pacific region.
The project will be operational in three Pacific Island nations: Fiji, Vanuatu, and Tonga, with initial funding of NZD 2.6 million from New Zealand. Ravunawa highlighted 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, revealing a pressing need for intervention.
Despite regional frameworks like the Pacific Sexual Health and Wellbeing Shared Agenda and the 2050 Pacific Blue Strategy Implementation Plan that aim to improve reproductive health, progress has been slow, and in many cases, stagnation persists. Increased challenges, particularly the rising threat of HIV, have been exacerbated by geographical dispersion, limited healthcare resources, and entrenched socio-cultural stigmas that obstruct the delivery of SRMNAH services.
Ravunawa reassured the public that all health facilities in Fiji are now providing free family planning services, ensuring greater access to modern contraceptive methods aimed at improving reproductive health outcomes for women and girls. He stressed the importance of collective effort for the project’s success, indicating that strong collaboration will be essential in overcoming existing barriers and realizing desired health outcomes.
This new initiative builds on previous health policies in Fiji, including the recently launched National Family Planning Policy aimed at combating teenage pregnancies and enhancing access to reproductive health services. This commitment to improving women’s health is not just a health campaign; it signifies a broader societal movement towards equipping women and youth with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed reproductive choices.
With a focus on education and resource availability, Fiji is creating a platform for positive change, fostering hope for a healthier and more empowered future for its young population. By prioritizing sexual and reproductive health, the country aims to create significant social and economic impacts, demonstrating a proactive approach to laying the groundwork for a sustainable future in the Pacific.