The Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation has strengthened its partnership with relevant stakeholders to prevent child trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Fiji.
The Ministry has provided a grant of $10,000 to a Non Government Organization that provides residential care to victims of child trafficking.
Lynn Roche, Coordinator for Safety Net Project said the grant will also assist the Homes of Hope in buying food items for 25 young girls who stay at the residential campus in Wailoku, Suva.
A Memorandum of Agreement was signed today between the Ministry of Social Welfare and Homes of Hope to support the joint collaboration in the area of child protection.
Permanent Secretary for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Josefa Koroivueta said the Ministry is working with NGO's and Civil Society Organizations such as the Homes of Hope and Save the Children's Funds (Fiji) and other stakeholders in the community to help curtail this emerging social ill in our society.
Roche said residential campus works with women and children who have been victims of forced sex, they are provided with residential care for up to 3 years and it covers all of their basic needs.
She said the girls are given opportunities to take up formal and vocational training.
She said the whole idea is to help these girls heal from the forced sex and help them live independent lives.
Story by: Sheetal Kumar
