Suva 5 Sep : Fiji is working to create an entirely new department to improve child protection and welfare in Fiji and develop a legal framework in accordance with international norms, the Minister told on Monday.Minister of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar said this is a significant milestone in Fiji’s history, indicating an important determination by the government to offer services to the good of each child in Fiji, according to Xinhua news agency.
In essence, it aims to create an organized, more coordinated and reformed system that can promote and ensure the prevention of and appropriate approaches to child protection both internationally and nationally, Akbar said.
She stated that in Fiji the services provided to children are presently hindered by the limitations in the law in the national structure and work force, and a legal overhaul is required for bringing the Fijian regulation framework for child protection in accordance with international standards.
The Minister stated that institutional reform is also necessary to ensure the consistency between the mandate for protection of children and the structures of government in charge of the implementation.
The department for children specializes in providing services that are in line with legislative requirements and will improve the child protection and welfare programs throughout the country, she added.
