Australian Government Provides Support to Save the Children Fiji

31 March 2006

The Government of Australia has provided FJD$89,384 to Save the Children Fiji (SCF) to help support the Child Rights Protection Training Program.

This funding, made available through the Australian Government Human Rights Small Grants Scheme, will enable SCF to train and educate stakeholders and communities on child rights and child protection.

A recent study undertaken by SCF on commercial sexual exploitation of children highlights the urgent need for extensive child rights training in Fiji’s communities. The Director of SCF, Mr Irshad Ali, said training is a critical step in creating awareness, facilitating change and making a difference in the way our communities respond to the needs, care and protection of children.

The Government of Australia will continue to support initiatives such as these to improve child welfare. In previous years the Australian Government has provided SCF with funding to assist rural schools and communities to improve access to education and to improve the nutritional health of children.

ENDS