Human Rights Commission Fiji, 9 Goodenough Street, Suva City (2026)

25/10/2026

WHEN HEALTHCARE IS TOO FAR, CHILDREN’S RIGHTS ARE AT RISK.

For some families of with in , accessing means travelling long distances, paying high transport costs and overcoming barriers at health facilities.

During consultations for the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission’s ( ) , one mother shared how her family must travel by boat for 30 minutes, followed by a bus journey, to reach Wainibokasi Hospital. Without other passengers, a private boat trip could cost $50.

Her experience highlights the challenges faced by families in rural and maritime communities, where distance, transport costs and limited access to specialist services can prevent children from receiving the healthcare they need.

A child’s access to should never depend on where they live or their family’s ability to pay for transport.

The Commission’s Baseline Study reinforces the need for accessible, affordable and inclusive healthcare services, particularly for children with disabilities living in rural and remote communities.

Every child has the right to healthcare, dignity and equal opportunities.

📖 Reference: Baseline Study into the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Children with Disabilities in Fiji (2026), Section 8.3.1, Page 98 – Access and Barriers.

🔗 Read the full report:
https://www.fhradc.org.fj/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Baseline-Study-into-Protection-of-Disabled-Fijian-Children_16_WEB.pdf

Baseline Study on the Rights of Children with Disabilities

20/10/2026

Dialogue Underway in Lautoka | 21 October 2026

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission ( ) is hosting its second Women’s Rights Dialogue in Lautoka today, bringing together key stakeholders and women from across the Western Division.

The Dialogue provides an important platform for participants to share their experiences, identify barriers to gender equality, access to justice and women’s leadership, and contribute to advancing human rights in Fiji.

Following the Dialogue held in Suva on 19 October, today’s discussions will further inform the Commission’s development of its Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Strategy and upcoming Strategic Plan.
This initiative is supported by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji.

20/10/2026

NEWS | National Must Be Accessible to All Fijians

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has stressed the importance of public education and accessible voting arrangements to ensure meaningful participation in the proposed national referendum.

Commissioner Alefina Vuki emphasised the need to address barriers to participation, including access to voting centres and transportation, to ensure no Fijian is left behind.

Meaningful public participation is fundamental to democracy.

📰 Read the full News report:
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/referendum-access-raises-concern.

20/10/2026

IN THE NEWS

Constitutional Reform Must Allow Meaningful Public Participation

Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Commissioner Alefina Vuki has raised concerns over the limited time available for Fijians to understand and respond to proposed constitutional changes.

She emphasised the importance of allowing sufficient time for meaningful public consultation and informed participation.

Read the full story on News:
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/three-legal-documents-too-little-time/

20/10/2026

Every Deserves Protection, Not Physical Punishment

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission ( ) reiterates that physical punishment should never be accepted as a form of child discipline.

Children have the right to grow up in safe, supportive environments, free from violence. Positive discipline, not physical punishment, is the way forward.

📰 Read more in :
https://fijisun.com.fj/news/nation/fiji-should-not-accept-physical-punishment-as-child-discipline-says-human-rights-body

19/10/2026

Must Be Inclusive and Rights-Based

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission ( ) underscores the importance of safeguarding fundamental human rights, ensuring transparency and promoting meaningful public participation in any constitutional reform process.

The Constitution is the foundation of our , and any proposed changes must uphold the rights, freedoms and dignity of all .

🎥 Watch the interview to learn more about the Commission’s perspective on constitutional reform.

19/10/2026

Rural Must Not Be Left Behind in Accessing

Women in rural and remote communities, particularly women with disabilities, continue to face significant barriers in accessing justice, information and essential support services.

Speaking at the Women’s Rights convened by the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission ( ), Commissioner Alefina Vuki emphasised the importance of ensuring women understand their rights and know where to seek assistance.

The Dialogue highlighted gender-based violence, women’s participation in leadership, disability and social inclusion, and the need to address overlapping barriers faced by marginalised women.

The discussions will also inform the Commission’s Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion ( ) Strategy.

📰 Why does access to justice remain a challenge for rural women, and what needs to change?

Read the full FBC News report to learn more about the challenges raised during the Dialogue and the Commission’s efforts to ensure that no woman is left behind.

👉 Read the full story here:
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/dialogue-targets-challenges-faced-by-rural-women/

19/10/2026

Women’s Leadership, Gender-Based Violence and Access to Justice in Focus

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission (FHRADC) is calling for action to remove barriers that prevent women from accessing justice, participating in leadership and exercising their rights.

At the Dialogue in Suva on 19 October 2026, Commissioner Alefina Vuki stressed the need to ensure that women especially those in rural and remote communities and women with disabilities can access information, essential services and support.

The Women’s Rights Dialogue is being convened in two locations, beginning in the Central Division, with the second dialogue scheduled for 21 October 2026 in the Western Division.

Read the full report:
https://www.fijivillage.com/news/gender-based-violence-women-s-leadership-and-access-to-justice-in-focus-at-women-s-rights-dialogue-242fbc/

19/10/2026

ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH INCLUSIVE DIALOGUE

The Women’s Rights Dialogue is underway in Suva today (19 October 2026), bringing together grassroots women, human rights advocates, civil society organisations and organisations of persons with disabilities to share experiences, raise concerns and explore ways to advance gender equality and human rights in Fiji.

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission ( ), supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has convened the Dialogue to provide a platform for meaningful discussions on challenges facing women.

The Dialogue focuses on key issues, including gender-based violence, discrimination, limited representation in decision-making and barriers to accessing justice and essential services.

The discussions will help inform the Commission’s Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Strategy, its next Strategic Plan and future engagement with Government and development partners.

A similar Dialogue will be held in the Western Division on 21 October 2026.

🤝 Amplifying women’s voices and strengthening collaboration towards a more inclusive and equal Fiji.

19/10/2026

📚 ARE SPECIAL SCHOOLS ALWAYS THE BEST PLACE FOR WITH ?

Some participants in community consultations believed that children with disabilities would be safer, happier and better supported in special schools.

This perception, highlighted in the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission’s , raises an important question: Are we making decisions based on children’s abilities and individual needs, or on assumptions about disability?

Every child has the right to inclusive, quality education. Schools must be equipped to respond to different learning needs, while teachers must have the knowledge, skills and support to make inclusion meaningful.

Inclusion is not simply about placing a child in a classroom. It is about ensuring every child can learn, participate and thrive.

💬 Let’s challenge assumptions and build an education system where no child is left behind.

🔗 Read the Full Baseline Study:
https://www.fhradc.org.fj/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Baseline-Study-into-Protection-of-Disabled-Fijian-Children_16_WEB.pdf

Report references

Baseline Study on the Rights of Children with Disabilities in Fiji (FHRADC, 2026).
* Page 115: Community perceptions concerning special schools and children with disabilities.
* Pages 113–114: Barriers to inclusive education, including attitudes and teacher preparedness.
* Page 145: Recommendation 9 concerning disability-inclusive teacher training.

Human Rights Commission Fiji

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