SUVA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Cabinet has approved the country's first Child Safeguarding Policy, establishing a single national framework to guide ministries, statutory bodies, civil society organizations, and institutions that work with children.
The policy sets out responsibilities, procedures, and minimum standards for organizations to follow, ensuring greater accountability and consistency in child protection, reported the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation on Friday.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection led the development of the framework through nationwide consultations, which included children, families, community representatives, and professionals working in child welfare.
Minister Sashi Kiran said the policy's approval is a major milestone, describing it as a "significant step that reinforces Fiji's commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of all children."
Child safeguarding has been an urgent concern in Fiji, where incidents of child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and online harm continue to rise.
Data from child welfare agencies and police highlight persistent challenges in ensuring children are safe in homes, schools, religious institutions, and community spaces.
The lack of a coordinated safeguarding framework has often led to fragmented responses, with gaps in reporting, intervention, and prevention. The new policy aims to close these gaps, the minister said. ■
