CAPTION: The two Ambassadors shake hands after the signing of the MOU .
1. TUI NADI SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT’S FIGHT ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, CHILDREN – The Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni has welcomed the stance by the Tui Nadi for backing government’s Zero Tolerance Violence Free Communities campaign.
2. NEW APPROACHES TO ADDRESS REPORDCUTIVE HEALTH PROGRAMS IN COMMUNITIES – The Health ministry will embark on various approaches to strengthen reproductive health programs at community level.
3. FIJI & KOSOVO SIGN MOU – A significant occasion for both the Government of the Republic of Fiji and the Government of the Republic of Kosovo was unveiled on Wednesday, 13 February 2013 when their Resident Ambassadors in Japan signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
1 TUI NADI SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT’S FIGHT ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, CHILDREN
The Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni has welcomed the stance by the Tui Nadi for backing government’s Zero Tolerance Violence Free Communities campaign.
The ‘Turaga Na Tui Nadi’ Ratu Sailosi Dawai has urged the public especially men to refrain from violent practises against women and children.
The Nadi chief highlighted that the initiative was timely stating that it was time people changed their attitude towards women and children.
“This is very unfortunate that it is happening in a country like ours where human and family values are uplifted,” he said.
“The problem with us is that we are too much focusing on other issues such as politics and race when our human values are not at the heart of things.”
“It’s a very serious issue and I would urge all parties – churches, non – governmental organisations, chiefs and religious leaders to join government in the elimination of violence against women and children,” Ratu Sailosi said.
As for the people of Nadi, the vanua of Nadi has restricted movement for children after 6pm in the villages.
“The turaga ni koros are looking after this as we hope to cut down of accidents, drowning and cases of rape of our children,” he added.
Minister Luveni, who recently declared Tavualevu as a Violence Free community, said everyone needed to play a part in the elimination of violence against women and children from our homes.
Police have noted a recent upsurge in rape and domestic violence cases in the country recently, including instances of children being attacked.
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2 NEW APPROACHES TO ADDRESS REPORDCUTIVE HEALTH PROGRAMS IN COMMUNITIES
The Health ministry will embark on various approaches to strengthen reproductive health programs at community level.
The Ministry is concerned with the rate of teenage pregnancies in the country including and is now looking to maximise awareness campaigns around the country.
“The Health ministry has embarked onto its wellness concept, we need to ensure that wellness is maintained from the womb to the tomb, and reproductive age group make a huge component”, Minister for Health Dr Neil Sharma said.
Midwifery courses are now being made available at the Fiji National University and the TISI Sangam Nursing Institute and the intake at both institutions have increased.
“Some of the measures that the Ministry has taken to tackle this issue is the increase in the number of nursing intake from 90 to 170 a year and succession plans will see atleast 200 nurse’s graduate yearly,” said Dr Neil Sharma.
Through this joint partnership, the Fiji National University has offered courses in Reproductive Health to upskill Nurses in the area of Reproductive Health.
Dr Sharma said the ministry also noted an increase in the number of expectant mothers being admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital’s maternity each year can also be linked to the use of contraception.
“While the Ministry is putting in its efforts towards Sexual and Reproductive health, it takes the responsibility of an individual to choose what is right, we request individuals to make the right choice at the right time doing the right thing.
“Being safe and protecting oneself from unplanned pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and pschycological trauma is a wise decision one needs to make in life”, Dr. Sharma said.
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3 FIJI & KOSOVO SIGN MOU
A significant occasion for both the Government of the Republic of Fiji and the Government of the Republic of Kosovo was unveiled on Wednesday, 13 February 2013 when their Resident Ambassadors in Japan signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The inaugural event took place at the office of the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Tokyo.
This landmark occasion follows the Government of the Republic of Fiji’s formal recognition of the Republic of Kosovo’s status as an independent sovereign state. The event is also important for both countries in enhancing their bilateral relations thus sharing mutual experience and cooperation in the international fora.
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