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The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs is a member of the National Coordinating Committee on Children (NCCC).  The NCCC was established after Fiji ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in August, 1993.  As a signatory, Fiji has an obligation to protect the welfare and uphold the dignity of children.

In 2008 the Fiji Government and UNICEF agreed to jointly put together a Child Protection Baseline Report.  That Report was launched in May last year and subsequently endorsed by cabinet on 30/06/10. The Report featured a total of 172 Recommendations which are based on the following three main     
Outcomes:

  • Children are increasingly protected by legislation and are better served by justice systems that protect them as victims, offenders and witnesses;
  • Children are better served by well informed and coordinated child protection social services which ensure greater protection against and respond to violence, abuse and exploitation; and
  • Children in selected geographical areas grow up in home and community environments that are increasingly free from violence, abuse and exploitation.
  • Acknowledging the importance of our children and youth, the Ministry developed a contextualized programme to address the issues that were raised by iTaukei communities regarding child rights. The objective of the Contextualized Child Protection Programme is to encourage and inspire communities to acknowledge that child safety and the upbringing of a child is a community responsibility. The Manuals and programme promotes an interactive community approach; that creates a better understanding based on cultural precepts. It is envisioned that the programme will assist with the creation of a safer and vibrant environment for our children and youth.