Safe conversation about child abuse vital, rural communities told
One of the consequences of child abuse includes impaired mental and physical health.
This was highlighted by the Commissioner Western Division, Apolosi Lewaqai, while officiating at the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse in Nakorotubu in Ra, yesterday.
In a bid to prevent child abuse, the Fijian Government is calling on parents and guardians to start having ‘safe conversations’ with their children
“Having a good mental and emotional wellbeing allows our children to think clearly, develop socially, learn daily and have a positive outlook on life and the circumstances they face,” he said. Mr Lewaqai highlighted that child abuse was prevalent throughout the globe, including Fiji.
“It threatens and violates the rights of a child,” he said.
“It is now an alarming problem and requires increased attention, awareness and efficient protection skills and preventative measures at all levels of our society from the grass roots to the national, regional and global.”
Fiji has been celebrating this day since 2002, however, the need to address abuse has become urgent. Mr Lewaqai encouraged parents, guardians, community leaders, faith-based organisations and the general public to be open and empowering when dealing with children.
“Any form of maltreatment by an adult on a child is classified as child abuse,” he said.
“In the Pacific region, about four in every five children between two to 14 years old experience a form of violent discipline.
“A better Fiji is one that is founded on love, tolerance and integration.”
Meanwhile, the commemoration coincided with an empowerment programme at the Nakorotubu district.
The Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion (REACH) programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The programme takes Government and non-government services to rural communities. Over 100 people from the province were part of the one-day event.