Culture Cannot Excuse Crime: Breaking Fiji’s Silence on Teenage Pregnancy and Abuse

 

Source: Fiji Sun. (2025, October 4). Chiefs condemn custom shielding rapists [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://fijisun.com.fj/news/nation/chiefs-condemn-custom-shielding-rapists

A call to protect our daughters, restore dignity, and reclaim the true heart of Fijian culture.

How did we reach a place where our daughters’ cries are silenced in the name of culture? Where teenage pregnancy is no longer shocking, but expected? Fiji’s rising teenage pregnancy crisis is not just a social issue  it is a wound bleeding from the silence of families, the misuse of tradition, and the neglect of responsibility especially as parents and guardians . It is time to confront what we’ve long ignored  because silence is complicity.

In recent years, Fiji has been facing an alarming rise in teenage pregnancies  a national crisis that health experts warn is rooted not just in poverty or neglect, but in silence, culture, and abuse. According to the Fiji Times (2025), 21 of every 1,000 girls aged 15–19 gave birth in 2023. Between January and May 2025 alone, almost 500 underage girls became pregnant, many of them victims of rape, incest, or exploitation. Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa called this a “national emergency”, warning that the crisis intertwines with child abuse, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and generational poverty.

Adolescent Fertility Rate Trends: A Warning from the World Bank

Source: World bank 2023 

According to the World Bank (2023), Fiji’s adolescent fertility rate remains among the highest in the Pacific, despite gradual declines over the decades. While the global average has fallen sharply, Fiji’s rate has hovered above 40 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19 in recent years far higher than East Asia and the Pacific’s regional average. This persistent gap signals deep-rooted social, cultural, and systemic issues that go beyond healthcare access. It reflects how silence, gender inequality, and weak family communication continue to expose young girls to exploitation, abuse, and unplanned pregnancies. The data underscores an urgent truth  laws alone cannot protect girls if society refuses to confront its moral and cultural responsibilities.

The heartbreaking truth is that many of these girls are not choosing motherhood they are forced into it. Mr. Ravunawa told Parliament that pregnancies in girls under 15 are “rarely about choice.” He explained that perpetrators are often trusted figures  family members, teachers, priests, or neighbors. “Too often they are about rape, incest, and abuse,” he said. The result is a generation of young girls pulled out of school, silenced by shame, and trapped in cycles of poverty before they ever reach adulthood.

While the numbers are distressing, the silence surrounding them is even more dangerous. The Fiji Sun (2025) reported that the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) has condemned the misuse of traditional reconciliation to shield rapists and abusers. GCC Chairperson Ratu Viliame Seruvakula spoke out boldly, saying: “You are taking away a girl’s dignity, something that cannot be replaced. No one is above the law, and perpetrators must face justice first before reconciliation can be considered.”

This quote is a turning point   a challenge to the misuse of culture as a cover for injustice. It reminds us that reconciliation without accountability is not peace; it is silence in disguise. Justice must precede forgiveness, because true reconciliation requires truth. Culture should never be twisted to protect the guilty while abandoning the innocent. This statement calls leaders and families to restore the sacredness of Fijian values  dignity, protection, and respect.

The Child Protection Act 2024 now makes it mandatory for teachers, health workers, and community leaders to report suspected child abuse. It reflects the government’s growing effort to hold perpetrators accountable and protect children. But legal frameworks can only go so far when culture still normalizes silence. Too often, communities hide abuse to “protect the family name.” Victims are blamed, families are shamed, and abusers are quietly forgiven in the name of custom. This pattern of silence allows predators to reoffend and victims to suffer unseen.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran revealed that in 2024, there were 755 reported cases of child sexual abuse, 29 involving infants. She noted that neglect is increasing as parents spend more time away for work or migration. “When children are looked after by others, the risks are increased,” she said, urging more awareness on child protection. Earlier this year, the government launched Fiji’s first National Safeguarding Policy to ensure that every organisation dealing with children implements protection and reporting standards.

Still, laws and policies must be met with courage  the courage to speak. In a recent survey, Participant 17 said, “Culture and traditions are meant to preserve values, identity, and unity, not harm others. Using them to justify violence distorts their true purpose and promotes injustice.”

This quote pierces the heart of the issue  the misuse of culture as a weapon rather than a source of wisdom. Culture was never meant to enslave, but to guide. When it becomes a justification for violence, it ceases to be culture and becomes corruption. Fiji must return to the true essence of its traditions  love, respect, and care for one another. This requires courage from leaders and citizens alike to challenge harmful norms and stand for truth.

Participant 21 echoed, “This is a patriarchal society where men lead and we are expected to give them the utmost respect, even when we are being disrespected, degraded, and abused.”

Her words expose the gender imbalance that sustains silence. Respect should never mean submission to abuse. True leadership values accountability, humility, and protection  not dominance. This quote challenges men, families, and churches to redefine masculinity in the image of Christ  servant leadership, not control. Only then can homes become places of safety rather than fear.

Participant 30 added, “Every culture has values that promote respect and kindness. The idea that cultural or traditional practices can be used to justify violence undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of others.”

Her insight reminds us that culture is not the enemy  it is the misuse of culture that causes harm. Every tradition, at its core, teaches respect and compassion. Reclaiming those roots is essential for healing and unity. Fiji must stop romanticizing harmful customs and instead restore those that honor life and protect the vulnerable. This begins with teaching the next generation what culture truly means  love expressed through justice.

And Participant 42 shared, “People are silenced in the name of culture and traditions, and the picture it will portray for the family.”

This speaks directly to the culture of shame that still grips communities. When image becomes more important than truth, victims are left voiceless. Families must learn that silence does not protect — it destroys. Healing starts when families choose honesty over image, compassion over control. It’s time to replace secrecy with openness and begin rebuilding trust at home.

But hope is rising. The formation of the National Teenage Pregnancy Response Taskforce shows a renewed commitment to action. Led by the Ministry of Health and supported by women’s and child rights groups, the taskforce aims to remove stigma, promote open discussions on reproductive health, and ensure that young mothers receive counselling, welfare, and education support. Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu stated, “All teenage pregnancies are treated as high-risk cases. Our health teams ensure young mothers are not alone during pregnancy and delivery.” These are vital steps toward restoring dignity and care.

Still, the most powerful change must come from within our homes, churches, and villages. As the GCC and health leaders have said, “Reconciliation must never replace justice.” The Fiji Solicitor-General’s Office is now reviewing traditional bylaws to ensure that the justice system is not obstructed by local customs. This reform is crucial to ensure police access, timely arrests, and the protection of victims. If Fiji is to heal, cultural norms must align with human rights and justice, not stand in their way.

To truly reclaim the heart of Fijian culture, we must remember that our traditions were built on love, respect, and community not silence and shame. The misuse of these traditions to protect abusers betrays the very values they were meant to uphold. The silence that surrounds gender-based violence is not a cultural strength; it is a wound that needs healing.

Healing begins when we face the truth  when communities acknowledge pain rather than hide it. Healing happens when parents sit with their children, listen to their fears, and talk about hard topics with love. It begins when fathers are present, mothers are attentive, and families are intentional about creating safe spaces. Healing is not just about policies; it’s about presence, patience, and prayer. Together, we can break the cycle  one conversation, one act of courage, one home at a time.

Mr. Ravunawa warned, “Today’s adolescent pregnancies are tomorrow’s poverty, inequality, and instability. We cannot afford to stay silent any longer.” The call to action is clear: every chief, parent, teacher, pastor, and youth must speak up. End the silence. Report abuse. Stand with survivors. Advocate for justice before reconciliation. Let our culture be a shield for the innocent not a shelter for the guilty.

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✊🏽 Call to Action: Our Daughters Deserve Better

🗣️ Speak up  Silence protects abusers. Your voice protects victims.
📞 Report abuse  -Call 1325 (Child Helpline), 1560 (Domestic Violence Helpline), or 917 (Police).
Educate -Teach our boys respect and our girls their worth.
 Reclaim culture-  Let reconciliation follow justice, not replace it.
🤝 Stand together -Chiefs, churches, schools, and families — unite to protect our children.
 Heal - Parents, be present. Listen. Talk. Guide. Our children need love, not silence.

Culture is a beautiful gift   but when it hides violence, it becomes a curse.
Let us return culture to its true purpose: to heal, to protect, and to restore dignity.
It’s time we all work together  to speak, to heal, and to rebuild the Fiji our children deserve.