http://www.pacificislands.cc/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=24026

Friday: August 11, 2006


(FWRM PR) - Recent trends in pre-teenage pregnancies, where girls as young as 12 are giving birth, are alarming and of critical concern to the nation, according to the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM).

“This trend clearly shows that sexual and reproductive health/rights information, confidential services and support are not accessible or available to many girls and young women,” said FWRM Executive Director Virisila Buadromo.

Buadromo supports calls by national adolescent reproductive health coordinator Sister Sulueti Duvaga for sex education to begin at primary school level. (The Fiji Times, 09/08/06)

“As Sister Davaga pointed out, we now know that primary school children are sexually active, and we need to equip them with information on how to stay safe and where to go for help. There is no point in pretending that this isn’t happening in our communities.”

Buadromo added that the need to inform our children and youth is particularly critical in the light of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Young women and girls are especially vulnerable to HIV, as it is difficult for them to negotiate safe sex and they are physically more vulnerable to infection.

FWRM also echoed concerns voiced by Ministry of Health chief executive Dr Lepani Waqatakirewa that pregnancies among very young girls may be a symptom of rape or incest in the home. (The Fiji Times, 09/08/06)

“Pregnancy in children is very worrying, and may be the result of sexual assault or child sexual abuse in the home. We as a community, together with the Government, need to prioritise making information and safe spaces available to vulnerable girls and boys.”

FWRM recently made a submission to the Fiji Law Reform Commission calling for higher penalties for the perpetrators of child sexual abuse. Currently, there is no differentiation between those who commit a sexual offence against children, and those who sexually assault adults.

The call for greater access to sexual and reproductive health information and confidential, easily accessible services and support also comes in the light of recently reported cases of infanticide.

PNG womens groups should be calling for the same. The situation is not isolated to Fiji.

Do we even have womens rights groups in PNG?

Yes we have womens rights group who advocate gender equality.

I know of meri-i-kirap but not of too many others. Please fill me in on some others.