Violence happening behind closed doors remains one of the biggest challenges facing families and communities across the country. A stronger response to gender-based violence is now being taken directly into communities, with the Ministry for Women, Children and Social Protection working to ensure more people know how to identify abuse and where to seek help. Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran highlighted that the ministry has developed new protocols and training programmes to strengthen its own capacity, rather than relying heavily on civil society organisations to respond to cases. The aim is to ensure support is available…
Author: admin_fijitimes
The NGO Coalition on Human Rights is strongly calling for the immediate suspension of all joint Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Fiji Police Force operations. They say this suspension must remain strictly in place until independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigations into the tragic deaths of Jone Vakarise and Sakiasi Radravu have been fully concluded, and their findings are made open to public scrutiny. They are deeply concerned about allegations of torture that have emerged through testimonies published in the media by individuals who were taken into state custody during these joint operations. The Coalition calls on the Fiji Human…
Law enforcement officers, detector dog handlers and support personnel from across the Pacific have gathered in Nadi for the annual Pacific Detector Dog Programme (PDDP) Conference, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and border security capabilities. The three-day conference brings together police and customs representatives from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Participants will assess the performance of their respective Detector Dog Units, exchange operational experiences and discuss best practices to enhance collaboration among regional enforcement agencies. The Pacific Detector Dog Programme is a joint initiative of New Zealand Police and Customs…
Australia is unlikely to extend the temporary halving of the fuel excise, as conflict in the Middle East breaks out ending the fragile ceasefire.
Another sudden reversal for high-flying artificial-intelligence stocks sent Wall Street reeling on Tuesday.
Women and girls affected by gender-based violence in Fiji’s Western Division will have greater access to protection and support services through a new partnership between the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection and Empower Pacific. The collaboration will see Empower Pacific operate a 24-hour Gender-Based Violence Safe Shelter, providing emergency accommodation and a range of support services for survivors seeking safety and assistance. Services available through the shelter include crisis intervention, psychosocial support, counselling, referrals and other essential care designed to meet the needs of women, girls and individuals experiencing violence. Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Social Protection…
Stakeholders from across the Central Division gathered in Suva this week as consultations commenced for Fiji’s Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Led by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the consultation brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations, academic institutions, the private sector, development partners and local communities to contribute to the reporting process. The consultations form part of a nationwide exercise to collect feedback and verify information for the report, which will assess Fiji’s achievements against national biodiversity targets and inform the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2030.…
BCA, ACCI urge review of ‘reckless’ tax changes
Young people in Abaca Village, Lautoka, have received new equipment support aimed at boosting livelihood opportunities and encouraging community-driven initiatives. The 27-member Abaca Youth Club was provided with three brush cutters and a chainsaw worth $4,742 under the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ Youth Grant Programme. The equipment is expected to help members engage in income-generating activities while contributing to village development efforts. During the handover, Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Jese Saukuru highlighted the Coalition Government’s commitment to empowering young people across Fiji by ensuring they have access to opportunities and resources regardless of their location. Minister Saukuru…
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