The New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, Charlotte Darlow, has highlighted the crucial importance of prioritizing sexual health needs in the country, noting that it is an integral component of public health. She emphasized that sexual health plays a vital role not just in individual well-being, but also in the overall health of communities and the future democratic development of the nation.
Darlow announced that New Zealand will collaborate with the United Nations Population Fund to enhance services for sexual and reproductive health, particularly targeting women and young girls. “The purpose of this particular piece of work is to ensure we are building resilient communities from the start of reproductive rights, knowing that getting this right lays a strong foundation for our children and mothers,” she stated.
Reflecting on her past experiences with the Human Rights Council, where she worked on maternal mortality resolutions, Darlow expressed concern that many statistics concerning maternal health have remained static over the decades. Despite this, she reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to improving health outcomes for mothers during their reproductive years.
This initiative aligns with broader ongoing efforts in Fiji to strengthen sexual and reproductive health services, including the recent launch of the Advancing Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health (SRMNAH) Project. This project, which has received initial funding of NZD 2.6 million from New Zealand, is set to roll out across Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu and aims to combat alarming trends such as increasing fertility rates and teenage pregnancies.
Assistant Minister for Health in Fiji, Penioni Ravunawa, has also underscored the commitment to enhancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), which he says are essential for promoting gender equality and comprehensive economic growth. Efforts include ensuring all health facilities provide free family planning services and increasing access to modern contraceptive methods, responding to the urgent need to address high maternal mortality ratios in the region.
Overall, Darlow’s remarks and the ongoing projects underscore a collaborative commitment to addressing sexual health issues as a pathway toward improved community resilience and empowerment for women and youth in the Pacific. With continued dedication from both New Zealand and Fijian authorities, there is hope for significant progress in public health outcomes in the region.