The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is calling on communities, families, caregivers, and stakeholders nationwide to submit their views for a landmark national study on the rights of children with disabilities before tomorrow’s deadline.
Director Loukinikini Lewaravu is urging those who have not yet contributed to share their experiences and perspectives, which will help identify barriers to inclusion, safety, and dignity, and inform recommendations to strengthen laws, policies, and services for children with disabilities in Fiji.
She says that this Baseline Study on the Status of the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Children with Disabilities is the first of its kind in Fiji, and it seeks to capture the lived realities of children with disabilities and understand the challenges they face in their daily lives.
Lewaravu says that over recent months, they have engaged directly with communities through talanoa-style consultations and interviews conducted in both iTaukei and Fiji Hindi, and these engagements have provided important insights.
She emphasises that every voice matters, particularly from families and communities whose experiences are often unheard, and are encoraging families, caregivers, teachers, service providers, and members of the public to make their submissions before the closing date.
The Director says that the feedback received will directly inform evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving laws, policies, and services to ensure the protection, inclusion, and dignity of children with disabilities in Fiji.
Submissions can be made online via the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GJZJTF9
