Situation Analysis of Children in Fiji ©United Nations Children’S Fund (UNICEF), Pacific Office, Suva

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Situation Analysis of Children in Fiji ©United Nations Children’S Fund (UNICEF), Pacific Office, Suva Situation Analysis of Children in Fiji ©United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Pacific Office, Suva December 2017 This report was written by Kirsten Anderson, Ruth Barnes, Awaz Raoof and Carolyn Hamilton, with the assistance of Laura Mertsching, Jorun Arndt, Karin Frode, Safya Benniche and Kristiana Papi. Maurice Dunaiski contributed to the chapters on Health and WASH. Further revision to the Child Protection chapter was done by Shelley Casey. The report was commissioned by UNICEF Pacific, which engaged Coram International, at Coram Children’s Legal Centre, to finalize Fiji Situation Analysis. The Situational Analyses were managed by a Steering Committee within UNICEF Pacific and UNICEF EAPRO, whose members included Andrew Colin Parker; Gerda Binder (EAPRO); Iosefo Volau; Laisani Petersen; Lemuel Fyodor Villamar; Maria Carmelita Francois; Settasak Akanimart; Stanley Gwavuya (Vice Chair), Stephanie Kleschnitzki (EAPRO); Uma Palaniappan; Vathinee Jitjaturunt (Chair); and Waqairapoa Tikoisuva. The contents of the report do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of UNICEF. UNICEF accepts no responsibility for error. Any part of this publication may be freely reproduced with appropriate acknowledgement. Suggested citation. United Nations Children’s Fund, Situation Analysis of Children in Fiji, UNICEF, Suva, 2017 Cover Image: ©UNICEF/UN0249076/Alcock Situation Analysis of Children in Fiji 2 Situation Analysis of Children in Fiji Table of Contents Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................4 Acronyms ....................................................................................................................................8 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................10 1.1. Purpose and scope..................................................................................................10 1.2. Conceptual framework ............................................................................................11 1.3. Methods and limitations ..........................................................................................13 1.4. Governance and validation .....................................................................................14 2. Context ..........................................................................................................................15 2.1. Geography and demographics ...............................................................................16 2.2. Main disaster and climate risks ..............................................................................18 2.3. Government and political context ...........................................................................20 2.4. Socio-economic context .........................................................................................21 2.5. Legislative and policy framework ............................................................................25 2.6. Child rights monitoring ............................................................................................26 3. Health and Nutrition .....................................................................................................28 3.1. Child mortality .........................................................................................................30 3.2. Child health, immunization and communicable diseases ........................................31 3.3. Maternal health .......................................................................................................33 3.4. Adolescent health ...................................................................................................34 3.4.1. Fertility and contraceptive use .....................................................................35 3.4.2. HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections .............................................35 3.4.3. Substance abuse ..........................................................................................37 3.4.4. Mental health ...............................................................................................38 3.5. Nutrition ..................................................................................................................39 3.5.1. Child stunting and wasting ...........................................................................40 3.5.2. Anaemia .......................................................................................................41 3.5.3. Low birthweight and underweight ...............................................................41 3.5.4. Overweight and obesity ...............................................................................42 3.5.5. Breastfeeding ...............................................................................................43 3.6. Key barriers and bottlenecks ...................................................................................44 3.6.1. Poverty .........................................................................................................44 3.6.2. Climate and disaster risks ............................................................................44 3.6.3. Health care financing ...................................................................................45 3.6.4. Health workforce .........................................................................................46 3.6.5. Information and research .............................................................................47 3.6.6. Equipment and service delivery ...................................................................47 4. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene ...................................................................................49 4.1. Access to improved water sources .........................................................................50 4.2. Access to improved sanitation facilities ..................................................................54 Table of Contents 3 4.3. Hygiene practices....................................................................................................57 4.4. WASH in schools, MHM and disabilities .................................................................58 4.5. Barriers and bottlenecks .........................................................................................59 4.5.1. Financing ......................................................................................................60 4.5.2. Equity ...........................................................................................................60 4.5.3. Climate and disaster risks ............................................................................61 4.5.4. Monitoring ....................................................................................................61 5. Education .......................................................................................................................62 5.1. Early childhood education ......................................................................................66 5.1.1. Access .........................................................................................................66 5.1.2. Quality ..........................................................................................................68 5.1.3. Bottlenecks and barriers ..............................................................................69 5.2. Primary and secondary education ...........................................................................70 5.2.1. Access .........................................................................................................70 5.2.2. Quality ..........................................................................................................73 5.2.3. Barriers and bottlenecks ..............................................................................75 5.3. Tertiary and vocational education ............................................................................77 6. Child Protection ...........................................................................................................79 6.1. Child protection risks and vulnerabilities .................................................................82 6.1.1. Nature and extent of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children ... 83 6.1.2. Community knowledge, attitudes and practices ..........................................88 6.1.3. Drivers of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children ..................89 6.2. The child protection system ...................................................................................91 6.2.1. The legal and policy framework for child protection ...................................91 6.2.2. Child Protection structures, services and resourcing ...................................95 6.2.3. Mechanisms for inter-agency coordination, information management and accountability ......................................................................................105 6.3 Other Child Protection issues ...............................................................................106 6.3.1. Birth registration ........................................................................................106 6.3.2. Children with disabilities ............................................................................106 6.3.3. Climate change and natural disasters
Recommended publications
  • Social Policy in the Post-Crisis Context of Small Island Developing States: a Synthesis
    A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Perch, Leisa; Roy, Rathin Working Paper Social policy in the post-crisis context of small island developing states: A synthesis Working Paper, No. 67 Provided in Cooperation with: International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth (IPC-IG) Suggested Citation: Perch, Leisa; Roy, Rathin (2010) : Social policy in the post-crisis context of small island developing states: A synthesis, Working Paper, No. 67, International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth (IPC-IG), Brasilia This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/71774 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, If the documents have been made available under an Open gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in
    [Show full text]
  • Fiji Islands Climate Summary December 2007
    FIJI METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE Private Mail Bag (NAP0351) Nadi Airport, Fiji Islands Fiji Islands Climate Summary Ph: +679 6724888, Fax: +679 6736047 Email: [email protected] December 2007 See online version at http://www.met.gov.fj Since: August 1980* IN BRIEF Tropical Cyclone Daman passed through Fiji’s Waters between De- average across the country. The number of bright sunshine hours re- cember 5 to 9. There was little damage on the main islands apart from corded in December was near normal. landslides and flooding in northern parts of the Northern Division and Viti Levu. Heavy rainfall was also received in the Lomaiviti and Lau The 2007/08 La Niña event strengthened further in December and is Groups. Cikobia Island was the worst affected by wind damage as the now firmly established in the Pacific ocean and atmosphere. All dy- Category 4 cyclone passed over the island. According to press reports namical and statistical ENSO models forecast the La Niña event to con- most buildings on Cikobia were either partially or completed de- tinue through the January to March 2008 period, with more than 50% of stroyed and there was significant damage to agricultural produce and the models forecasting La Niña conditions to exist during the April to other vegetation. Damage costs were reported to be at around F$0.65 June 2008 period. Based on the current and predicted ocean and atmos- Million in the Fiji Times on December 22. pheric conditions in the equatorial Pacific, generally average to above average rainfall is favoured across the Western and Northern Divisions Overall, below average to well above average rainfall was received and Rotuma, below average to average rainfall across most of the Cen- across the country in December.
    [Show full text]
  • Shelter and Settlements Risk Profile NATURAL DISASTERS from 1980
    Shelter and Settlements Risk Profile ShelterCluster.org Coordinating Humanitarian Shelter HISTORIC EVENTS (ReliefWeb) Dec 2012 1. Tropical Cyclone Evan KEY DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS Tropical Cyclone Evan (TC Evan) − a Category 4 cyclone, wind Full Name: Republic Of The Fiji Islands speeds of 210 km/h (130 mph), impacted Northern Vanua Population: 862,333 (UN, 2012) Levu and Western Viti Levu on 17 December 2012,is Annual Growth Rate: 0.5% considered one of the worst to ever hit Fiji in recent history. Capital: Suva Approximately 60% of the total population were affected in Population In Urban Areas: 52.90% the post-disaster period. The Northern division recorded the Area: 18,376 Sq Km(7,095 Sq.mile) highest percentage of affected population (52%) as a Major Languages: English, Fijian, Hindi proportion of their total population, followed by the Western Division (38%) and the Central and Eastern divisions (23%). Major Religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam March 2. Fiji: Floods Life Expectancy: (UN) 67 Years (M)/72 Years (W) 2012 Monetary Unit: 1 Fijian Dollar = 100 Cents Severe flooding in the areas of Ra, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Main Exports: Sugar, Clothing, Gold, Processed Nadroga, Sigatoka, and Rewa in January 2012 The Fish, Timber Government of Fiji estimated that damage from the 2012 GNI Per Capita: US $3,720 (WB) 5,390 (FS) floods was at approximately F$71 million. This suggests that Human Development Index: 0.6881 Fiji experienced damage of F$146 million in 2012 alone. Rainfall In Capital (Mm): 3040 Jan 3. Fiji: Floods Temperature In Capital City ° C: 22.2/28.7 2012 Average Family Size: 5 March 4.
    [Show full text]
  • NASA Satellites Eye Troublesome Tropical Cyclone Lusi 10 March 2014
    NASA satellites eye troublesome Tropical Cyclone Lusi 10 March 2014 The next day at 02:17 UTC, NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Lusi and captured infrared data on the storm that showed the thunderstorms rose high into the troposphere. The strongest thunderstorms had cloud top temperatures as cold as -63F/-52C. Multispectral satellite imagery showed that Lusi continued to consolidate and strong thunderstorms continue to develop. Those thunderstorms are wrapping into the center of circulation. NASA and JAXA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite provided a microwave look at Lusi at 05:31 UTC/1:31 a.m. EST and showed the system continues to consolidate. TRMM data showed bands of strong thunderstorms had wrapped tightly around the center, and that the bulk of the deep convection is within the storm's northwestern quadrant. Lusi has spawned several watches and warnings. In the Solomon Islands a tropical cyclone watch is in effect for Temotu, Makira, Rennell and Bellona, as well as the southern Guadalcanal and Malaita provinces. NASA's Terra satellite captured this visible image of Tropical Cyclone Lusi over Vanuatu on March 9 at 23:30 UTC. Credit: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team Tropical Cyclone Lusi has spawned warnings and watches in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Zealand as it moves through the South Pacific Ocean. NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites provided visible and infrared views of the storm that revealed it has become better organized. NASA's Terra satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Lusi over Vanuatu on March 9 at On March 10 at 02:17 UTC, NASA's Aqua satellite 23:30 UTC.
    [Show full text]
  • Rapid Gender Analysis Cyclone Pam Vanuatu
    Photo Tom Perry, CARE Australia Rapid Gender Analysis Cyclone Pam Vanuatu 7 April 2015 Cyclone Pam In the aftermath of Cyclone Pam, Vanuatu has declared a State of Emergency across all six provinces. Shelter, food, health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are key needs. The United Nations estimates that the majority of Vanuatu’s population, spread over 22 islands, has been affected by Tropical Cyclone Pam. Understanding the impact of Cyclone Pam on women, men, boys and girls is crucial to deliver an effective response. CARE’s Rapid Gender Analysis of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu analyses the different needs, capacities, and coping strategies of women, men, boys and girls. CARE’s Rapid Gender Analysis is built-up progressively; using a range of primary and secondary information to understand how gender roles and relations may change during a crisis. CARE’s Rapid Gender Analysis of Cyclone Pam, including its recommendations, will be revised as more information becomes available. Gender Relations: Secondary Data Review Like other Melanesian and Pacific countries, gender disparities in Vanuatu are significant. Vanuatu is a geographically spread out, linguistically and ethnically diverse archipelago with small population centres in isolated areas, which means reaching and providing services to all communities is costly and logistically challenging. 80% of ni-Vanuatu live in rural areas and 70% of the working population aged 15 years and over work in subsistence agriculture. Vanuatu can be characterized as a patriarchal society (although there are some matrilineal societies in some northern and central islands) in which women continue to face, at times severe inequalities, in all spheres of life: social, cultural, economic and political.
    [Show full text]
  • Fiji Climate Change and Health Adaptation
    Fiji Climate Change and Health Adaptation Proceedings of the Symposium 9 February 2015 in Suva, Fiji Fiji Climate Change and Health Adaptation Proceedings of the Symposium 9 February 2015 in Suva, Fiji © Piloting Climate Change Adaptation to Protect Human Health Project in Fiji. 2015 This booklet is an outcome of a Climate Change and Health symposium organized by the core working group of the Piloting Climate Change Adaptation to Protect Human Health project in Fiji. The views expressed in the document by named authors are solely the responsibility of the named authors. Referencing and quote from this booklet should be acknowledged accordingly. It is a product of MOHMS Fiji and WHO collaboration. The views and opinions expressed in this proceeding belong to the speakers, and do not necessarily reflect those of organizing institutions. Table of Contents Presenters ........................................................................................................................ 2 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... 4 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 5 2. Keynote Speeches ......................................................................................................... 7 Importance of health adaptation to climate change in Fiji ............................................................ 8 Fiji's response to climate change impacts ....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Conservation Society Fiji Country Program Annual Report 2020
    WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY FIJI COUNTRY PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Annual Report 2020 Wildlife Conservation Society Fiji Country Program ©2020 Wildlife Conservation Society Cover page photo: Diverse reef system with healthy fish population in Kubulau inshore fringing. ©Tom Vierus/WCS FROM THE DIRECTOR 2020 was perhaps one of the most challenging year many of us have experienced, as the world grappled with the unprecedented COVID- 19 health crisis and the subsequent social and economic effects. The crisis brought scientists and researchers together (albeit virtually) to relook at the critical link between human activities and the health of the environment that we live in and the animals and species we are surrounded by. It is clear that environmental degradation of natural ecosystems is affecting human health. Simply put, the planet’s health is vital in preventing future diseases. Fiji confirmed its first COVID-19 case on 19 March and the last instance of community transmission in April 2020. During this period, strict safety protocols were implemented by the Fijian Government to prevent the spread of the virus and was kept in place until July 2020. These included nationwide social distancing measures, lockdown, local and international travel restrictions and curfews. In compliance to this, WCS Fiji pulled all staff from field work and stopped all community engagements, joining the rest of the world working from home and attending virtual meetings. Upon the lifting of domestic travel restrictions, the WCS team, with support from communities and partner organisations raced ahead to complete projects. Between August and December, three community sea cucumber management plans were launched, the first community pearl farm was established along with training workshops to build skills and enhance knowledge, women fishers and seafood vendors also received seafood handling and mud crab fattening training and supported the Government on the nationwide public consultation on Fiji’s proposed 30% Offshore Marine Protected Area Network.
    [Show full text]
  • MASARYK UNIVERSITY BRNO Diploma Thesis
    MASARYK UNIVERSITY BRNO FACULTY OF EDUCATION Diploma thesis Brno 2018 Supervisor: Author: doc. Mgr. Martin Adam, Ph.D. Bc. Lukáš Opavský MASARYK UNIVERSITY BRNO FACULTY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE Presentation Sentences in Wikipedia: FSP Analysis Diploma thesis Brno 2018 Supervisor: Author: doc. Mgr. Martin Adam, Ph.D. Bc. Lukáš Opavský Declaration I declare that I have worked on this thesis independently, using only the primary and secondary sources listed in the bibliography. I agree with the placing of this thesis in the library of the Faculty of Education at the Masaryk University and with the access for academic purposes. Brno, 30th March 2018 …………………………………………. Bc. Lukáš Opavský Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisor, doc. Mgr. Martin Adam, Ph.D. for his kind help and constant guidance throughout my work. Bc. Lukáš Opavský OPAVSKÝ, Lukáš. Presentation Sentences in Wikipedia: FSP Analysis; Diploma Thesis. Brno: Masaryk University, Faculty of Education, English Language and Literature Department, 2018. XX p. Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Martin Adam, Ph.D. Annotation The purpose of this thesis is an analysis of a corpus comprising of opening sentences of articles collected from the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia. Four different quality categories from Wikipedia were chosen, from the total amount of eight, to ensure gathering of a representative sample, for each category there are fifty sentences, the total amount of the sentences altogether is, therefore, two hundred. The sentences will be analysed according to the Firabsian theory of functional sentence perspective in order to discriminate differences both between the quality categories and also within the categories.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of Coral Reefs in the Fiji Islands 2007
    COMPONENT 2A - Project 2A2 Knowledge, monitoring, management and beneficial use of coral reef ecosystems January 2009 REEF MONITORING SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC STATUS OF CORAL REEFS REPORT 2007 Edited by Cherrie WHIPPY-MORRIS Institute of Marine Resources With the support of: Photo: E. CLUA The CRISP programme is implemented as part of the Regional Environment Programme for a contribution to conservation and sustainable development of coral T (CRISP), sponsored by France and prepared by the French Development Agency (AFD) as part of an inter-ministerial project from 2002 onwards, aims to develop a vi- sion for the future of these unique eco-systems and the communities that depend on them and to introduce strategies and projects to conserve their biodiversity, while developing the economic and environmental services that they provide both locally and globally. Also, it is designed as a factor for integration between developed coun- - land developing countries. The CRISP Programme comprises three major components, which are: Component 1A: Integrated Coastal Management and watershed management - 1A1: Marine biodiversity conservation planning - 1A2: Marine Protected Areas - 1A3: Institutional strengthening and networking - 1A4: Integrated coastal reef zone and watershed management CRISP Coordinating Unit (CCU) Component 2: Development of Coral Ecosystems Programme manager : Eric CLUA - 2A: Knowledge, monitoring and management of coral reef ecosytems SPC - PoBox D5 - 2B: Reef rehabilitation 98848 Noumea Cedex - 2C: Development of active marine substances
    [Show full text]
  • The Situation Information Bulletin Vanuatu: Tropical Cyclone Lusi
    Information Bulletin Vanuatu: Tropical Cyclone Lusi Information Bulletin n°1 Glide n° TC-2014-000033-VUT 18 March 2014 This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation. <click here to view the map of the affected area, or here for detailed contact information> The situation Tropical Cyclone (TC) Lusi formed as Tropical Depression 18F in the east of Penama Province Vanuatu early in the morning of Sunday, 9 March. At 09:00 hours local time on 10 March, Tropical Depression 18F was designated Category 1 TC Lusi by the Fiji Met Office. Category 1 TC Lusi passed across Northern Espiritu Santo in Sanma Province on late 10 March and early 11 March, crossing over Port Orly, Espiritu Santo, and then heading southeast approaching Ambae, Pentecost and Maewo in Penama Province. TC Lusi moved out of Vanuatu on the morning of 12 March moving over the Shepherd’s Group in Shefa Province as a Category 2 storm. Throughout Wednesday, 12 March, it continued to move away from Vanuatu as it strengthened into a Category 3 cyclone well east of the main islands in Tafea Province. From 9-12 March, TC Lusi affected approximately 20,000 people and caused 8 fatalities in Vanuatu. Many families had been evacuated before and during the cyclone, and as of 16 March the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) reported that 27 people were still in evacuation centres.
    [Show full text]
  • Data Collection Survey on Current Situation and Countermeasures Concerning Non-Communicable Diseases in the Pacific Region
    Data Collection Survey on Current Situation and Countermeasures Concerning Non-Communicable Diseases in the Pacific Region Final Report January 2013 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) KRI International Corp. 1R JR 13‐004 Data Collection Survey on Current Situation and Countermeasures Concerning Non-Communicable Diseases in the Pacific Region Final Report January 2013 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) KRI International Corp. Data Collection Survey on Current Situation and Countermeasures Concerning Non-Communicable Diseases in the Pacific Region Final Report Map Fiji Tonga Kiribati Source: Fiji and Kiribati - http://www.spto.org/spto/export/sites/spto/japanese/destinations/ Tonga - Joint Country Strategy 2009-2013, SPC i Data Collection Survey on Current Situation and Countermeasures Concerning Non-Communicable Diseases in the Pacific Region Final Report Abbreviations and Acronyms 2-1-22 Programme 2-1-22 Pacific NCD Programme ADB Asian Development Bank AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AKA Above Knee Amputation Aus$ Australian Dollar AusAID Australian Agency for International Development BCC Behavior Change Communication BKA Below Knee Amputation BMI Body Mass Index CAT Computerized Axial Tomography CK-MB Creatine Kinase-MB CRA Community Rehabilitation Assistant CRD Chronic Respiratory Disease CSN Clinical Service Network CT Computed Tomography CVD Cardiovascular disease CWMH Colonial Memorial War Hospital ChinaAID China Aid Association CoC Continuum of Care DALY Disability Adjusted Life Years DF/R Draft final
    [Show full text]
  • VANUATU: TROPICAL CYCLONE PAM April 2015
    Fall 08 Photo credit: Karina Coates | OCHA Second Phase Harmonized Assessment Report VANUATU: TROPICAL CYCLONE PAM April 2015 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS A. WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE KEY FINDINGS 1. Many communities cannot access safe water sources. An estimated 68% of the rainwater harvesting catchment structures are broken, 70% of the wells have been contaminated, and piped water systems have been damaged. Water quality is poor everywhere except Port Vila, resulting in a health risk. 2. 68% of the sanitation superstructures have been destroyed, resulting in an increase in open defecation, which was reported to be up to 45% in some places. Open defecation presents urgent health, protection and dignity risks to children, women, and vulnerable groups. 3. Only 30% of households report hand washing, posing a risk of communicable disease. Some bathing facilities are unsafe. KEY PRIORITIES 1. Provide immediate access to water supply through emergency water distribution and restoration of water systems. 2. Prevent the spread of diseases by providing hygiene messages, household water treatment and safe storage supplies and by ensuring household access to soap. 3. Ensure privacy and safe disposal of human faeces by restoring sanitation structures, complemented with sanitation promotion. 4. Ensure dignity and minimize protection risks by providing safe bathing facilities and access to sanitary protection materials for girls and women. 5. Restore protective environments at schools and health care facilities. B. SHELTER KEY FINDINGS 1. Many communities have received shelter assistance and are recovering fast. 2. Population and damage figures, especially in urban areas, are much higher than estimated. 3. Gaps in coverage remain, especially in Port Vila and Tanna Island.
    [Show full text]