In-country and NZ partners from World Vision, ChildFund and Save the Children gathered today for the launch of Solomon Islands Endim Vaelens Agenstim Pikinini (Ending Violence Against Children). Photo: Supplied/Save the Children New Zealand
Significant initiatives have been launched in two Pacific countries aimed at protecting children from violence.
The programmes in Fiji and Solomon Islands come as research undertaken in the Pacific shows children exposed to violent interactions are more likely to adopt aggressive behaviour during developing ages.
Data within the region has revealed that the toxic stress associated with such routine forms of violence may permanently impact the architecture and chemistry of the developing brain.
The UNICEF-commissioned report suggests this can undermine learning and affect behavioural, social and emotional functioning as children grow into adulthood.
But all is not lost.
Research has shown that violence prevention can positively impact health and productivity, reduce expenditure on crisis response, improve children's developmental and educational outcomes, and prevent crime.
'Disconnect between children and parenting responsibilities'
In recent years Fiji has witnessed an increase in violence against children. Now, a programme aimed at creating a culture of zero tolerance towards violence against children has been launched.
Known as the Collective Action to End Violence Against Children in Fiji, the initiative is led by Save the Children Fiji.
Chief executive Shairana Ali told RNZ Pacific the project aims to address increased negligence and violence against children and create safer family units.
"We will provide tools and alternative skills to discipline children and create a safe family unit where children feel safe with their parents and don't feel neglected."
She said Fiji was experiencing a disconnect between children and parenting responsibilities.
"One of the major issues we have found in the communities is that children are being neglected by their parents or caregivers. This programme aims to shift the responsibility back to the parents to ensure they understand that children are their responsibility and they spend time with the children, they make sure that children are not neglected.
"Child negligence is not always intentional. Parents have to prioritise the collective family needs, such as putting food on the table, and this often limits the time they can spend with their children."
However, Ali cautioned that parents must still be responsible for their children.
"It's crucial that parents remain vigilant. They must ensure that the carers they entrust their child with while away at work provide a safe environment."
Ali added this issue is a nationwide concern and requires collective action.
"We are getting families, parents, children, schools, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations, women's groups, government ministries, and other civil society partners to work together, including children themselves. Child participation is one of the programme's key components, and the idea is to work together to end violence against children."
The programme will initially be implemented in 24 communities in the Suva-Nausori corridor and will run for five years.
The New Zealand government has funded this project allocating more than $NZ900,000.
Shairana Ali is the chief executive of Fiji NGO Save the Children. Photo: Save the Children
Workshop kick starts Solomons anti-violence project
In Solomon Islands a similar programme has been established.
Ending Violence Against Children was formally launched on Tuesday, with a workshop in Honiara to focus on, "skill building, extending capacity at the local level and working on an ongoing plan to take this campaign forward," Save the Children New Zealand's Advocacy Director Jacqui Southey said.
"Government officials attended the launch, they were very supportive of this initiative," Southey said.
The coalition behind the project includes ChildFund, Save the Children and World Vision and is supported by the New Zealand Aid Programme.
Southey said the group plans on working alongside the Solomons Government on policy and legislative reforms to protect children from all forms of violence.
She said the legal age for marriage in the Solomon Islands is 15 and the coalition hopes to work with the government to raise the age to 18.
In 2020 a report by Plan International Australia and Plan International Solomon Islands found over 90 percent of 236 girls surveyed in Honiara felt unsafe in public.
ChildFund CEO Mark Collins said working to end violence against children in the Pacific is not about individual goals and logos.
World Vision New Zealand Director Grant Bayldon said the project marks a new way of working together for greater impact.
"It's about working together with local people for the best outcome for local children and their communities," he said.
Local school children performing a song they wrote for the launch of Solomon Islands Endim Vaelens Agenstim Pikinini (Ending Violence Against Children). Photo: Supplied/Save the Children New Zealand