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Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation 2017 - 2018 AnnuAl RepoRt for the period 1st August 2017 - 31st July 2018 www.mwcpa.gov.fj | A Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation AnnuAl RepoRt 2017 - 2018 for the period 1st August 2017 - 31st July 2018 ReP ubl iC of fiJi A vital promise of the 2030 Agenda is to leave no one behind.

Hon.
Hon.

Mereseini Rakuita Vuniwaqa Minister for Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation 2 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation““ StrAtegic Direction VISION Empowering the Women, Children and the Disadvantaged.

MISSION Families and Communities supported through Social Welfare Initiatives and Gender mainstreaming programmes.

VALUES Human Dignity We respect the dignity of all we serve.

commitment to excellence We will pursue to provide excellent services.
integrity We are committed to conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with the highest standard of integrity.

We are committed to be honest, ethical and fair in all our activities.

We keep our word, deliver our promises and acknowledge our mistakes.

customers Efficient and effective service and satisfaction.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is the Government Agency that administers services and programs aligned to the: ■ Care and protection of children ■ ■ ■ ■ Provision of income to support families to address poverty Provision of policy intervention for older persons Provision of policy intervention for persons with disabilities Promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women ■ Monitor, evaluate and report on the progress and impact of the INPEP Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual report 2017 - 2018 | 3 | 3 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Acronyms ADFS Assistant Director Family Services ADCS Assistant Director Child Services CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women C&P ESU Care & Protection Allowance Executive Support Unit FVPRPM Food Voucher Programs for Rural Pregnant Mothers GAL NGO Guardian-ad-Litem Non-Government Organizations OPH Old People’s Home PAO PAS PBS Principal Accounts Officers Principal Assistant Secretary Poverty Benefit Scheme PEPO Principal Economics Planning Officer PWO Principal Welfare Officer PRO Principal Research Officer SAO SDG SPS TC Senior Administration Officer Sustainable Development Goal Social Pension Scheme Tropical Cyclone UNCRPD United Nation Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities VAWG Violence Against Women and Girls WCPA Women, Children, Poverty Alleviation 4 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Table of Contents 01 02 03 Minister’s Foreword Permanent Secretary’s Message Organisation Chart 04 Ministry Departments ■ ■ Executive Support Unit Social Welfare Department ■ Department of Women ■ ■ Poverty Monitoring Unit Corporate Services 05 REACH Programme 06 Audited Financial Statements ■ Independent Auditors Report ■ Management Certificate ■ Statement of Receipts and Expenditure ■ Appropriation Statement ■ ■ Statement of Losses Trust Fund Account Statement of Receipts and Payments ■ Notes To and Forming Part of Financial Statements 07 08 09 10 54 64 | 5 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 6 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Minister ’s F o r e w o r d Greetings.
It is a great pleasure for me to present the Annual Report of the 2017- 2018 fiscal year.

A vital promise of the 2030 Agenda is to leave no one behind.
This report documents the many ways in which the Ministry supported the interests and growth of the most disadvantaged segments of the Fijian population, namely people living in poverty, people living with disabilities, older persons, women and children to turn the aims of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into reality and we are happy to share with everyone the wonderful result oriented programs and achievements of the Ministry in this fiscal year.
The role of the Ministry has been further weighted with the launch of the 5-20 year National Development Plan which is aligned to the SDGs and calls on inclusive and sustainable development including women’s empowerment and the empowerment of the disadvantaged.
The Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is the one Ministry that holds close this promise of the 2030 Agenda in truly leaving no one behind as we raise as a nation and this was truly reflected during the Home Care Initiative that the Ministry was entrusted to execute apart from our regular services.

welfare of the neediest Fijians, especially with the introduction of the Disability Allowance, which is a first of its kind.
We have worked in collaboration with many of our stakeholders and partners from Government and the Civil Society to ensure the best possible results are obtained from our work; and reviewed areas that needed improvement from our end for better service delivery.

We aim to continue our efforts in helping every single Fijian access services of the Fijian Government to lead a better life.
We have plans in place for policy changes, projects, programs and better adherence to international governing instruments of the United Nations and other international and regional organizations that Fiji has ratified in relation to the benefits of our clientele.
Together with our many partners, the Ministry will continue to deliver on the National Development Plan goals for the disadvantaged Fijians based on the foundation of the 2030 Agenda and the vision of the Fijian Government, seeking equality for all.

This year we also received our highest budget till date and we were able to better provide for the Hon.
Mereseini Vuniwaqa Minister for Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual report 2017 - 2018 | 7 | 7 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Permanent Secretary’s M e s s a g e The 2017-2018 fiscal year started strongly with a budgetary allocation of $114 million, which is an increase of 46.9 million from the 2016-2017 budget.

97% of the allocation was for operational while 3% was for capital.
96% of the additional budgetary allocation boosted the existing social welfare programs, the newly introduced disability allowance, funding for disability provider organisations, REACH program funding and the capital works for the 3 state owned senior citizen homes.

This is the year where Fiji continues to rebuild back families, homes, communities, and vital infrastructures (health facilities, schools, telecommunications, etc) amidst ongoing climate change and disasters.
The progressive rehabilitation programs after TC Winston was significantly driven back by the compounding devastation of TC Josie and TC Keni in 2018.

That was a setback in building stronger communities in the Western and to a lesser extent in the Northern Division.

Home CARE was one of the six CARE programs created by the Fijian Government to assist severely affected households after TC Josie and TC Keni.

It targeted affected communities from the Rakiraki to Sigatoka belt of the Western Division.
For the Northern Division, few communities in Macuata and Savusavu were also affected by flooding.

Home CARE assisted 80,283 households with the $91.48 million funding.

The investment in Home Care could not have produced measurable results without the dedication and commitment of the Ministry Staffs and the interagency team on the ground (Elections Office, BDM, and the Fiji Police Force).

brought in showers of delight to our people with disabilities and the DPO’s alike.
Some brilliant initiatives encountered included the private sector driven MAN UP Campaign, the historical training in community care-giving by APTC, the National Service Delivery Protocol, the inclusion of Gender and Climate Change in Womens Plan of Action, the Ministerial Forum for Women CSO’s, and the REACH program were consonant to the work of the Ministry.
The steadfast efforts to eliminate violence against women and children remained a cornerstone for the Ministry to game change power relationship between women and men in all sectors of the communities.

The 5th State Report for the CEDAW was a good example of the national commitment and the expected undertakings thereafter.

Needless to say the quantum of work to be actioned to bring about gender equality is a smart and purposeful investment in women empowerment and recognition.
With the call to serve all cohorts of life paying focussed attention to women, children, people with disabilities, older persons and the disadvantaged, I must express my heartfelt gratitude to the staffs of the Ministry for they worked with resilience, demonstrable perseverance and the touch for the people.

Balancing work and life would not have come about without the wonderful support of their families and loved ones.
The Rights of people with disabilities Act 2018 was passed in Parliament in 2018 not long after the deposit of UNCRDP Instruments in New York in June 2017.
This Dr. Josefa Koroivueta Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation 8 | 8 | Annual report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Organisation Chart MiniSter PerMAnent SecretArY ASSiStAnt MiniSter SociAL WeLFAre DePArtMent DePArtMent oF WoMen PoVertY Monitoring Unit corPorAte SerViceS eXecUtiVe SUPPort Unit Director Director Director ADFS PAS Field PePo PAo SAo ADcS Pro PAS corporate PWo north PWo (oPH) PWo (Disability) PWo West | 9 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 M i n i s T r y Departments ▶ Executive Support Unit ▶ Social Welfare Department ▶ Department of Women ▶ Poverty Monitoring Unit ▶ Corporate Services 10 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Executive Support Unit Executive Support Unit assists the Executives in preparing for: 01 Parliamentary Sessions 04 Community Visits 02 Local Meetings 03 Events 05 06 Cabinet Meetings International Meetings This fiscal year has been particularly exciting for Minister in December, 2017.
The unit was extremely the unit, with being able to be called the Executive busy coordinating tours for the Executives locally Support Unit for the Acting Prime Minister, when the and internationally.

Aside from this the team utilized Honorable Minister for Women, Children and Poverty the budget allocation of $200,000 in implementing Alleviation was holding the portfolio of Acting Prime special projects.
| 11 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 in December 2017, Honorable Minister for Women, children and Poverty Alleviation was holding the portfolio of Acting Prime Minister.

(His Excellency the President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konousi Konrote and Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon.
Mereseini Vuniwaqa at the Borron House, Suva) INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS The Honorable Minister and Honorable Assistant High Level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Midpoint Minister attended several meetings overseas over Review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons the fiscal year, some in her good self’s capacity as with Disabilities 2013-2022 in Beijing in December, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation 2017, the Asia Pacific Climate Week in Bangkok in and some as a representative of the Fijian Parliament.
December, 2017, and the inter-Parliamentary Union Both Honorable Minister and Honorable Assistant Assembly in Geneva in March, 2018.

Apart from Minister attended the Pacific Women’s Parliamentary these the following meetings of great importance Forum in Honiara in September, 2017, the Honorable were also attended by the Honorable Minister and Minister attended the Inter-parliamentary Union Permanent Secretary: meeting and COP 23 in Bonn in November, 2017, the 5tH StAte ceDAW rePort DeFenSe Hon.
Mereseini Vuniwaqa headed an eight member Committee on Friday, the 23rd of February, 2018 delegation to the 69th session on CEDAW in Geneva.

where they defended and clarified further for the The Fijian delegation came before the UN CEDAW Committee, matters pertaining to Fiji’s 5th State 12 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Report on CEDAW.
CEDAW Committee consists of Nairoba, Senior Research Officer Ms. Aradhana 23 experts on women’s rights from around the world.

Sharma, Dr. Torika Tamani National Advisor on Family The eight members delegation consisted of the Health, Ms. Alumeci Tuisawau Director Technology Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, and Employment Skills Training with the Ministry of Hon.
Mereseini Vuniwaqa, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Education and Ms. Seema Chand, senior legal officer Josefa Koroivueta, Director for Women, Mrs. Selai with the Solicitor General’s Office.

Korovusere, Principal Research Officer Ms. Amelia coMMiSSion on tHe StAtUS oF WoMen Fiji was represented in the 62nd Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

Heading the delegation was Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon.
Mereseini Vuniwaqa with the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Koroivueta and Director for Women, Mrs. Korovusere and Executive Support officer, Mr. Jiuta.

The delegation took part in the week- long meeting.
The 2018 priority theme for CSW was “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls” and Fiji delivered a country statement on the theme and attended side events such as round table discussions to exchange experiences, lessons learned and good practices on challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls.
ESU provided the necessary logistical and technical support to the Executives during their participation at these meetings.

POLICy REMIT THROUGH CABINET As per her role as the main policy influencer for the 2-5 October, 2017; Memorandum of Understanding Ministry, the Honorable Minister tabled a number between the Ministry of Women’s Economic of crucial Information and Discussion Papers with Empowerment & Child Protection of the Republic Cabinet in the fiscal year 2017/2018.
The major ones of Indonesia and Ministry Social Welfare, Women being the Annual reports for the Ministry for the years & Poverty Alleviation of the Republic of Fiji under 2014, 2015, 2016 January to July and fiscal year the Joint Technical Working Group arrangement; 2016/2017; Establishment of the Barefoot College allocation of State Land for Project Sanctuary – in Fiji; hosting and co-funding the 13th Triennial Haven for Women Victims of Abuse; continuation Conference on Pacific Women and 6th Meeting of of the Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion for Rural the Pacific Ministers for Women held in Suva from and Urban Fijians (REACH) Project; Fiji National | 13 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Service Delivery Protocol For Responding To Cases Children & Poverty Alleviation And the United Nations Of Gender Based Violence; Extension Of Partnership Entity For Gender Equality And The Empowerment With United Nations Population Fund Through Of Women (UNWomen); and the establishment of Sexual Reproductive Health Project; memorandum the Domestic Violence Support Fund.
of Understanding between the Ministry of Women, COMMUNITy OUTREACH The Executives of the Ministry made concerted efforts to ensure there was adequate liaison between them and Fijians living in rural communities.

LAU toUr A government delegation led by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon.

group.

A Women’s Resource Centre was also opened by Minister Vuniwaqa.
The visit by the government Mereseini Vuniwaqa visited the Lau group in August delegation provided an opportunity to the villagers 2017.

Minister Vuniwaqa and her delegation visited to speak directly with the Minister during a talanoa Moala, Totoya, Oneata, Nayau, Vanuabalavu and session.

Minister Vuniwaqa was accompanied by the Lakeba and commissioned various development Minister for Fisheries Hon.

Semi Koroilavesau and projects.


During the visit the Minister has also Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty officiated at the declaration of Totoya Island as a Zero Alleviation Hon.

Veena Bhatnagar.

Tolerance Violence Free Community - a first in the Lau nortHern DiViSion toUr A delegation led by the Honorable Minister Vuniwaqa of commitment from the Ministry of Women, Children toured the Northern Division as well.
The tour was and Poverty Alleviation for their participation in part of her being the Chief Guest of Natewa Day, trainings for ‘Zero Tolerance on Violence against whereby the women of Natewa setup a market like Women and Children Community’ initiative.

Income gathering to showcase their authentic products.

Two Generating Projects were also handed over to the villages in Cakaudrove and Bua received certificates women in the division during this tour.
oVALAU toUr The Honorable Minister also led a ministry delegation Generating Projects in the Island also visited all the to the island of Ovalau in February, 2018.

This was schools in Ovalau and handed of school items that the beginning of the new school year, and the were donated to needy children.

The Highlight of this Honorable Minister aside from handing over Income tour was the launch of the ‘Seda Kei Viti’.

14 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Hon.
Vuniwaqa and the Chiefs of Lomaiviti launched Poverty Alleviation and will boost Government’s the ‘Seda Kei Viti’ in Levuka.

The boat is an addition aim of decentralizing service delivery - delivering to the fleet of the Ministry for Women, Children and government services to Fijians wherever they live.

Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon.

Mereseini Vuniwaqa at the launching of ‘Seda Kei Viti’ in Levuka.
Honorable Mereseini Vuniwaqa handing over School stationeries to student in Ovalau.

PARTNERSHIPS This year, the Executives continued strengthening The Campaign was fully launched by His Excellency partnerships for the Ministry.

This happened through the President of Fiji on the 7th of October, the signing of Memorandum of Understandings 2017.
Furthermore, The Embassy of the People’s between the Ministry and external parties who Republic of China handed over a $40,000 Cheque collaborated with the Ministry to achieve common for Disability Aid to the Honorable Minister for the goals, particularly by working with the departments procurement of mobility aid devices.

This was the within the Ministry.


The Executives also maintained result of a prior meeting that the Embassy had the Ministry’s previous friendships, especially with the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty bilateral relationships to ensure our services could be Alleviation, with discussions around the five core improved even more.

groups of disadvantaged Fijians that the Ministry looks after and the challenges they generally face.
One of the main outcomes of such partnerships was One major area that the two parties found needed the Man Up Campaign, mooted by the Honorable urgent attention was the scarce accessibility of Minister Vuniwaqa.

In October, 2017, the campaign mobility aid to cater for the needs of elderly persons was launched with the unveiling of the hoardings in and persons living with disabilities.

Suva and Nadi.
Suva and Nadi.

LAUncHing oF tHe MAn UP cAMPAign in SUVA | 15 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 ASSISTANCE AND PROJECTS ESU was given a budget of $200,000.00 in this demand at the time; financing of urgent medical fiscal year.
This budget was specifically to assist treatments, purchase of items for women’s groups families, organizations and individuals who needed for their urgent social obligations, school items urgent assistance in an area that could not be catered and fees for poor students, housing assistance, for, from any other budget line within government generators, fire relief assistance where the allocated services.
The assistance included provision of water budget had been exhausted, outboard engines for tanks to homes in the areas struck by TC Josie and communities using river rafts as a means of crossing Keni, and flash floods around the country, whereby rivers, and funding of Income Generating Projects of the Divisional Commissioners’ offices did not have poor individuals.
any water tanks to assist families with given the INTERNAL AFFAIRS The ESU also managed the internal meetings of the senior management with the Executives, as well facilitating tours for the Executives to all the above mentioned official tours of the Honorable Minister.
The Honorable Minister also delivered responses to parliamentary questions in most of the Parliament Sessions, delivered Ministerial statement, including one for the opening of the Parliament, one on the eve of the International Women’s Day and a budget statement.

A budget statement was also delivered by the Honorable Assistant Minister.

All statements are available with the ESU for reference.
A number of Cabinet Papers were also tabled for the Ministry by the Honorable Minister in this fiscal year as well.

Finally, the Executives were actively involved in the Home Care Initiative in each of the phases, especially for the purpose of overseeing the smooth operations of the program.

16 | Permanent Secretary Dr. Josefa Koroivueta and Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa during the Homes Care Initiative Press Conference in Lautoka.
Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Social Welfare Department FAMILy SERVICES UNIT The Family Services Unit under the Department of Social Welfare administers the Social Protection Programs which targets poor households and vulnerable individuals.
These Programs include the Poverty Benefit Scheme for poor households, Care & Protection for children living in single parent poor families, Social Pension Scheme for the elderly, Rural Pregnant Mother’s Vouchers and the Bus Fare Subsidy Program.

Activity 1: Poverty Benefit SCHeMe (PBS) As of 31st July 2018, the Department had assisted a total 25,696 households with a budgetary allocation of Reviews 5615 $38,050,931 million.
Of the 25,696 households under this program 55% were female headed households and 45% were male headed households.
Approvals 4453 55% Female Households 45% Male Households 25,696 Total Households $ $38m Budget Allocation Declined 2415 Terminations 4311 | 17 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Approvals 1721 Activity 2: Care & ProteCtion allowanCe (C&P) The Care and Protection Allowance (C&P Allowance) is a program for children living under single parent Reviews 1386 households, prisoner dependent families and foster families who are living in poverty.
With a budgetary allocation of $6,807,589 million, the Department had assisted 5,562 households (53% were female headed households and 47% were male headed households).

5,562 Total Households $ 6.8m Budget Allocation Declined 70 Activity 3: SoCial PenSion SCHeMe (SPS) The Social Pension Scheme provides a monthly pension of $100 for persons aged 65 years and over who do not have any form of income or pension from schemes such as FNPF and After Care Fund.
The Ministry with a budgetary allocation of $37,200,350 million has assisted 38,285 senior citizens (58% were female recipients and 42% were males) through this scheme.
Reviews 1673 Declined 176 Terminations 1807 53% Female Households 47% Male Households Terminations 489 58% Female Recipients 42% Male Recipients 38,285 Total Recipients $ $37.2m Budget Allocation Approvals 12215 Activity 4: food vouCHer PrograMS for rural Pregnant MotHerS (FVPrPM) The programme aims at improving the maternal health and basic nutrition needs required during pregnancies for mothers living in rural areas at the amount of $50 per month.
A total of 3321 cases were assisted under the Food Voucher Program in the Fiscal Year.
3,321 Recipients $ 50 p/m Allowance 18 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Activity 5: grantS to voluntary organization (ngoS) Dilkusha Home Veilomani Boys Home Treasure Home Empower Pacific Salvation Army St Christopher's Home Homes of Hope $30,000 $36,648 $22,000 $25,500 $20,000 $30,000 $29,000 The Department provides funding assistance to Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) that compliments its work, especially in the care and protection of children.
There were 8 NGO’s assisted through the programme with a budgetary allocation of $193,148.

8 NGOs Assisted $ 193,148 Budget Allocation Activity 6: ASSiStAnce to Fire VictiMS The objective of this program is to assist families who have their homes destroyed by fire.

A total amount of $1,000 is given to each family to help them provide for their basic needs that may have been destroyed by the fire.
The Department is given a budget of $200,000 and in the duration of the year and had assisted 169 fam- ilies across Fiji.

169 Families Assisted $ 200,000 Budget Allocation Activity 7: BuS-fare SuBSidy PrograM The Bus Fare Subsidy program is aimed at assisting the elderly (60 years and above) and persons with disability who uses the bus services in Fiji as a mode of transport.
In the fiscal year, the Department had processed a total of 12,158 bus fare cards of which: 10,982 cards were for the elderly and 1,176 cards were for individuals with disabilities.
10,982 Elderly Persons Assisted 47% Male Recipients 5158 Total Recipients 1,176 Persons with Disabilities Assisted 59% Male Recipients 690 Total Recipients 53% Female Recipients 5824 Total Recipients 41% Female Recipients 486 Total Recipients | 19 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 CHILD SERVICES UNIT The Child Services Unit is responsible for carrying out the Department’s statutory and legislated responsibilities of Child Protection.
These include awareness and training in child protection, residential care of children in approved institutions and probation and juvenile justice programs.
Activity 1: cHiLD Protection Under this activity the Unit facilitates training and awareness in child protection across the country with com- munities and stakeholders, provides reports on adoption, placement, custody and any other child welfare report required by the Courts and maintains the database on child welfare reported cases mandated under the Child Welfare Act.
GRAPH: CouRt RePoRts Nature of Case Guardian-ad-Litem (GAL) Residence & Contact Care Order Home Environment Social Background Supplementary Child Abuse Juvenile Custody Number of Cases Reported 181 78 16 91 31 28 11 20 7 GRAPH: BReAkdown of RePoRted CAses Nature of Case Number of Cases Reported 8 17 1 11 65 5 6 287 5 5 4 170 148 97 9 15 11 33 Abandoned Abduction Abscond Attempted Suicide Beyond Control Child Beggar Child Labour Child Neglect Emotional Abuse In need (C&P) Missing Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Teenage Pregnancy Truancy Verbal Abuse Victim of Parental Conflict Young Offenders 20 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Activity 2: reSiDentiAL HoMeS The Department of Social Welfare is mandated under the Juveniles Act to ensure that all children under the care of the State in approved institutions are safe and protected.
This responsibility includes the monitoring of these Homes to ensure that there is compliance to the approved Minimum Standards for the safety and care of these children.

There are ten (10) approved Homes, two (2) of which are State Homes while the remaining eight (8) are owned and administered by Faith-Based Organizations.

Children who are at risk and warrant safe custody are taken under the care of the Director Social Welfare and are kept in these homes under an Order from the Courts.
As at end of July there were a total of 169 children placed in these Homes, with 124 placements in the Fiji Juvenile Rehabilitation and Development Centre which caters for juveniles (boys) in conflict with the law.
Graph: Placement of Children in Residential Homes Fiji Crippled Children Society 2 St. Tabitha Orphanage 6 Homes of Hope 1 3 Lomani Au 2 10 Veilomani Boys Home St. Minas Treasure Home 8 10 22 10 St. Christopher's Home 5 Dilkusha Home Pearly Gates Home 7 7 10 26 30 Male Total 73 Female Total 96 0 TABLE: PAyMENT TO RESIDENTIAL HOMES RESIdENTIAL HOMES AMOuNT Dilkusha Home St. Christopher's Home Treasure House Christian Children’s Home St. Minas Children’s Home Veilomani Boys Home Lomani Au Children’s Home Homes of Hope St. Tabitha Orphanage Fiji Crippled Children Society TOTAL 52,320 39,480 29,520 25,920 27,840 15,600 6,480 6,720 2,880 206,760 Graph: Placement of Children at the fiji Juvenile Rehabilitation and development Centre Quarter 4 25 Quarter 1 33 124 Placements Quarter 3 32 Quarter 2 34 | 21 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Activity 3: ProbAtion For JUVeniLe AnD ADULtS The Community Based Corrections Act and the Juveniles Act requires the supervision of non-custodial offenders under probation and community work sentencing.
Welfare officers are appointed by the Courts as supervisors of these offenders.

As at end of July, there were 25 juveniles under probation.

tABLe: under Probation Indicated by Quarter Supervision 37 28 31 25 QUARTER 1 QUARTER 2 QUARTER 3 QUARTER 4 Activity 4: cHiLD HeLPLine The National Child Helpline (CHL) is an access point for children to call and report on issues that affect them.

This service is contracted to Medical Services Pacific (MSP).
There were a total of 1,739 genuine calls received and directed to relevant authorities who would then follow up and work on these reported cases.
Activity 5: innoVAtiVe cHiLD Protection SerVice Training of Trainers (TOT) Prevention of Child Abuse and Child Protection in Emergencies on Child Protection Neglect (PCAN) Campaign/Blue Ribbon Campaign The Community Project Officers (CPOs) This is an annual event that the Department The Ministry plays the lead role in the facilitated 146 TOT and community holds nationwide to raise awareness on the Protection Cluster, which is coordinated awareness to identified community prevention of child abuse.
This is done in by the NDMO.

With assistance from leaders across the four divisions.

This partnership with stakeholders in all levels Save the Children’s Fund Fiji, a project training is through a strength based within the communities including schools, officer was seconded to the Unit who training manual called, “Children faith-based organizations, churches, business conducted 8 CPIE trainings with the Are a Precious Gift from God”, a houses, villages and government ministries staff across the Divisions.
contextualized package on Child and department.

The Department was able Protection.

to facilitate a total of 115 PCAN Awareness programs in the duration of the year.
Northern Community Facilitators Training 27th - 28th March 2018 PCaN Celebration at Soso Village, Yasawa Official Opening Of The New Bridge CPie Pilot Training at Tanoa Waterfront Hotel, Lautoka 25th - 27th July 2018 CPOs Vetaia Vuinakelo (Left 1st row standing) and Melaia Simpson (Left 2nd row standing) are the training facilitators Newly built crossing called the Koroivueta Bridge – determining the future of the children of Soso village, Yasawa South West officers group photo with the trainer (1st right standing) from DFAT and Co Facilitator Mr. Uraia Levaci the Child Inclusion Officer (2nd right sitting) 22 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITy The Disability Unit was established in 2017.
Their focus is on addressing Disability in Fiji and develops a more ‘inclusive’ society, create advocacy on the needs of persons with disabilities and to provide assistance to The National Council for Persons with Disabilities as well as link the disability provider organizations to the relevant service providers (Government and Non-Government).
Milestone for the Unit since its existence: ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ 22 March 2017 - Ratification endorsed by parliament 22 March 2017 - UNCRPD ratification endorsed in parliament 7 June 2017 - UNCRPD instruments deposited to NY 12 March 2018 - Bill passed in parliament, known as Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 21 March 2018 - Act commencement date ▶ ▶ Successful Roll-out of the Disability Allowance Scheme (DAS) The achievement was made possible through a partnership between the Ministry and Disability Services Providers inclusive of Disability Provider Organizations.
Activity 1: grantS to diSaBility ServiCe ProviderS (alloCation: $1,100,000) The aim of this program is to provide grants to organizations that provide services for persons with disabilities.

As of 31st July 2018, a total of $402,501had been provided to nine (9) organizations.
Graph: Grants to disability Provider organizations Fiji Association for the Deaf, $32,649 Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation, $37,302 $ 402,501 Total Grant Provided Counter Stroke Fiji, $27,000 Psychiatric Survivors Association, $34,000 1 Fiji Paralympics Committee, $30,000 United Blind Persons of Fiji, $31,550 Spinal Injury Association of Fiji, $100,000 Hilton Special Hostel, $40,000 Fiji Society for the Blind, $70,000 $0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000 (Source: disability Provider Organisations Grants Register) | 23 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Activity 2: ALLoWAnce For PerSonS WitH DiSAbiLitieS The Department had assisted a total of 2,744 (Male 56% & Female 44%) individuals as of 31st July 2018 with a budgetary allocation of $85,500.
An achievement like no other for our maritime areas.
The Unit was able to cover: a) Yacata b) Qamea c) Rabi and Kioa d) Yasawa Islands Activity 3: StAFF trAiningS Disability officers group photo after the training Activity 4: oVerSeAS engAgeMent Gender Breakdown of Allowance for Persons with Disabilities (2,744 Total Assisted) 56% Male 44% Female Two trainings were held for the staff of the Disability Unit: 1) Standing Operating Procedures for the Disability Allowance Scheme 2) Incheon Strategy and Beijing Platform and Affirmative Action ▶ High Level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Midpoint Review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, Beijing ▶ Joint Technical Working Group trip to Indonesia 24 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation OLDER PERSONS UNIT The Older Persons Unit (OPU) operates under the responsibility of the Director Social Welfare.
The core responsibilities under the Unit included managing the Policy, Legislation, Monitoring and Secretariat aspects of the National Council of Older Persons (NCOP).

The advisory arm for Older Persons was established in 2013 as per the NCOP Act of 2012.

In addition, OPU also manages the operations of the 3 State Homes for Older Persons.

These are institutional settings of care which has its annual allocation of Budget.
Activity 1: nAtionAL MiniMUM StAnDArDS For inStitUtionAL HoMeS on tHe cAre oF oLDer PerSonS Aligned to promoting an inclusive, protective, healthy and the provision of enabling environments for older persons in Fiji, the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, developed a National Minimum Standards for Institutional Homes on the Care of Older Persons.
This is a milestone for the Ministry since it had taken the responsibility of administering the three State Homes for Older Persons in Labasa, Lautoka and Suva.

Basically, the approved National Minimum standards serve as a Guideline to elevate service standards for the care of residents in institutional home settings, in either private homes or State administered facilities.
Though the Standards were approved in July 2017, consultations to package the content into training purposes and publications have been addressed with stakeholders within the financial year.

A copy of the publication - National Minimum Standards for the Institutional Homes on the Care of Older Persons.
Activity 2: oPerAtionAL ProceDUreS For tHe 3 StAte HoMeS For oLDer PerSonS Two years into the responsibilities to manage 3 Institutional Homes for Older Persons, the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, under the Department of Social Welfare, was mandated to address quality service through the development of Policy and Procedures.
Given that the Home has a range of service cadres and responsibilities, a standard operational procedure was a tool to improve quality of care services for the residents respectively.

The Policy and Procedure documentation was officially approved on July 2018.

This will be followed by the facilitation of trainings throughout the 3 State Homes.
| 25 A copy of the Policy and Procedures Document devised for the 3 State Homes for Older Persons, which includes: the Golden Age Homes of Labasa, Lautoka Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Activity 3: internAtionAL DAY oF oLDer PerSonS october 1St, 2017 The theme of International Day of Older Persons 2017 was “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society.” The theme was in relation to enabling and expanding the contributions of older people in their families, communities and societies at large.
It focused on the pathways that support full and effective participation in old age, in accordance with old persons’ basic rights, needs and preferences.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, coordinated a total of twelve awareness initiatives in the divisions including the Open Day for the 3 State Homes.

A total of $71,112.99 was committed towards the awareness campaign in October 2017.

The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, the Hon.
Mereseini Vuniwaqa, greetings older persons during the launch of the Senior Citizens Week in October 2017 at Sukuna Park (Suva) The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, the Hon.

Mereseini Vuniwaqa with the Assistant Minister Hon.

Veena Bhatnagar and the Golden Age Home Centenarian Ms. Benina Ciriavesi (101 years of age).

The event marked the Launch of the Senior Citizens Week at Sukuna Park in Suva on 22nd October 2017 The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, the Hon.
Mereseini Vuniwaqa with invited Guests of the Sigatoka community in the celebration of the Week for Seniors in October 2017 The Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Josefa Koroivueta was the Chief Guest for the Golden Age Home Lautoka during the Homes Open Day, within the Week for Seniors in October 2017 JICA Executive Mr. Hiroyuki Sawada was the Chief Guest for the Golden Age Home Suva during the Homes Open Day, within the Senior Citizens Week of 2017.
He is being flanked by the President of the Board of Visitors for the Home, Mr. Mohammed Maqbool and a resident of the Home, Mr. Wallace Wok The Open Day was also an opportunity to show case the talent of the Residents of the Home, pictured is Mr. Prakash Narayan Shukla who engages in making jewelry.

The Residents of the Golden Age Home Lautoka enjoy the Open Day Celebrations at the Home with Guests and Friends of the Home in October 2017.
26 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation The Naitasiri community gathered at the Soloira District School to commemorate a day to acknowledge the senior citizens in their community.
Pictured are seniors cutting the official cake for the Celebrations in October 2017 Tokens of Appreciation were given to older persons of the Soloira community in Naitasiri by means of vouchers to be redeemed at the Jacks Handicraft outlets in Nausori as part of the Senior Citizens Celebrations in October 2017 Aligned to the theme of tapping the talents, contributions and participation of older persons, pictured are older women show casing their crafting talents at a community hall in Nausori as they celebrate the Seniors Citizens Day in October 2017 Activity 4: world elder aBuSe day - June 15tH, 2018 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.
The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

There were awareness and training organized in Labasa, Lautoka and Suva.
Official group photo of the World Elder Abuse Day Workshop jointly delivered by APTC and Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation at the Golden Age Home Lautoka Participants presenting during a group activity at the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Workshop jointly delivered by APTC and the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Activity 5: coMMUnitY trAining For FAMiLY cAre giVerS Over 100 community volunteers from the Ovalau, Moturiki of the Lomaiviti Group benefitted from a two day training held on the 9th and 10th May 2018.
The Ministry in partnership with the Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC) designed a training package for the Community Training of Family Caregivers.

The objective of the training was to better address the needs of the elderly and those living with disabilities.

In the opening address, Hon Mereseini Vuniwaqa highlighted that it was an opportunity to understand the challenging realities of caregivers and share best practices to aid community family caregiving.
| 27 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Activity 6: oLDer PerSonS Unit reVieW AnD trAining WorkSHoP Participants of the Community Training for Family Caregivers held at the Lomaiviti Provincial Meeting in Bure Nasova, Ovalau Exclusively for the first time, the Unit organized a two day workshop on July 11th and 12th.
The workshop was a prime opportunity to appreciate feedback from the Managers of the 3 State Homes for Older Persons and their core team on the achievements and challenges in the last financial year.

Against that backdrop the Older Persons Unit was able to inform the way forward on planning aspects for the 2018- 2019 operational year.

The Director Social Welfare, Mr. Rupeni Fatiaki, at the Opening of the two day workshop for the Older Persons Unit (OPU) held on the 11th and 12th July 2018.
Activity 7: MeMorAnDUM oF UnDerStAnDing WitH tHe auStralia PaCifiC teCHniCal College (aPtC) The Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC) has signed a partnership agreement with Fiji’s Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation that strengthens both parties’ commitment to improving the quality of aged care services in Fiji.
As part of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), students undertaking APTC’s Certificate III in Individual Support (Aging, Home and Community) program will be able to gain industry placements at the Department of Social Welfare’s aged care facilities in Fiji.

The official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and the Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC) in March 2018.
28 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Activity 8: national CounCil of older PerSonS (nCoP) The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, under the Grants provision under the National Council of Older Persons (NCOP) complements service delivery by service providers specifically for older persons.

In January 2018, NCOP provided a Grant of $30,000 to the Ba Senior Citizens Association, a community service provider for older persons in the Ba area.
The Association has a total of 120 registered members who congregate weekly at the Centre to engage in activities.
The Permanent Secretary for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Josefa Koroivueta and Executives of the Ba Senior Citizens Association, at the signing of the Grants Agreement in January 2018 Activity 9: StAte HoMeS For oLDer PerSonS The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, recently had additional responsibility since 2016 to manage the administration of the 3 State Homes for Older Persons in Labasa, Lautoka and Suva.
For a more standardized reference to the 3 Homes, the Homes will now be referred to as Golden Age Home Labasa, Golden Age Home Lautoka and Golden Age Home Suva.

In the financial year for 2017 -2018, the Homes had additional resources to the human resource component.

This enabled the Ministry to recruit a total of 13 Welfare Officer Cadres for the 3 State Homes which included 1 Principal Welfare (PWO); 3 Senior Welfare Officers (SWO); 3 Welfare Officer I and 6 Welfare Officer II.
The structural reform is aligned to Government’s goal of promoting the inclusion, protection, healthy ageing and provision of enabling environments for older persons in the institutional setting.

Currently, the 3 State Homes has a total of 138 residents as at July 2018.
A breakdown of the specifics includes: The Golden Age Home Suva, celebrated Ms. Benina Ciriavesi’s 102nd birthday at the Golden Age Home Suva on July 7, 2018. table: Breakdown of Residents at 3 state Homes Home femALe mALe totAL Golden Age Home Labasa Golden Age Home Lautoka Golden Age Home Suva TOTAL 14 25 32 71 15 26 26 67 29 51 58 138 Male Total 67 Female Total 71 | 29 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 HOME CARE INITIATIVE CARE for Fiji is an unprecedented and wide-reaching programme of Government assistance that runs across Government Ministries and Departments to aid those Fijians affected by TC Josie and TC Keni.
Under Homes- CARE, homes that have suffered damages and had household items lost or badly damaged during TC Josie and TC Keni had applied for electronic cards to purchase replacements for the lost or badly damaged household items that had become unusable and/or hardware items to reconstruct or repair their homes.
Graph: Number of Cases Assisted Under Each Category Category - $3000 $8,997,000 Category - $7000 $693,000 Category - $1500 $13,839,000 40% Total Amount $91,488,000 Total Recipients 80,283 60% Category - $1000 $67,959,000 table: number of Cases Assisted under each Category CATEGORy NO.
OF RECIPIENTS TOTAL AMOUNT CATEGORY ONE - $1000 CATEGORY TWO - $1500 CATEGORY THREE - $3000 CATEGORY FOUR - $7000 67,959 9,226 2,999 99 67,959,000 13,839,000 8,997,000 693,000 TOTAL 80,283 $91,488,000 Male Total 60% Female Total 40% 30 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Department of Women The Department of Women is the primary policy advisor to the Government on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality.
The Department continues to work towards the implementation of programmes administered through the Women’s Plan of Action and the National Gender Policy.

THEMATIC AREA 1: FORMAL SECTOR EMPLOyMENT AND LIVELIHOOD Under this thematic area a number of interventions were undertaken as Income Generation Projects (IGP’s) such as canteens, bee keeping, sewing skills, and fuel projects.

The desk also facilitated financial literacy training for women and undertook monitoring of the programmes.
AnAlysis of the DivisionAl implementAtion in the formAl sector employment AnD livelihooDs progrAm Graph: formal sector employment & Livelihoods Programs Implemented by divisions NORTHERN 16 9 EASTERN 2 23 WESTERN CENTRAL 5 5 3 4 3 2 32 26 0 Financial Literacy Training Establishment if IGP Projects Monitoring of IGP Reports | 31 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Graph: sex disaggregated data by divisions 56 60 NORTHERN EASTERN WESTERN 225 250 201 70 CENTRAL 53 285 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 Male Female The graph represents key activities that were carried out by each division in the area of formal sector employment and livelihoods program.
The 3 key areas were the implementation process for the establishment of an income generating projects.

The implemented activities in the division were identified through the community needs and in consultation with the ministry.
Activity 1: tHe LAUncHing oF tHe reUSAbLe SHoPPing bAgS The launching of the Eco bag was coordinated by the Formal Sector and Livelihoods program and the bag is provided by Ba Women’s Forum as part of women’s economic empowerment and targeting climate resilient on non - biodegradable item like plastics in a way to combat or manage waste pollution.

The launching of the reusable shopping bags is also a lead up to the COP 23.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Honorable Voreqe Bainimarama with the Ba Womens Forum at the launching of the reusable bag in Suva.

Activity 2: oFFiciAL oPening oF tHe bA WoMen’S ForUM coMPLeX The launch was a continuous support of the Ministry towards the Ba Women’s Forum which was officiated by the Prime Minister, Honorable Voreqe Bainimarama.

The Ba Women’s Forum is supported by the Ministry through the Grants to Women Institutions.
32 | The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Honorable Voreqe Bainimarama at the Opening of the Ba Women’s Forum.

Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Activity 3: tHe MiniSteriAL toUr to LAU The tour to Lau is a ministerial visit where all the programs in the ministry were integrated and in collaboration with other government agencies officials were part.
The Ministry managed to commit all the anticipated activity for Eastern Division in the areas of Livelihoods and zero tolerance free community.

Activity 4: nAtionAL WoMen’S eXPo The handing over of Income Generating Project to the Cakova and Liku Women’s Group in Lau The major highlights of the National Women’s Expo are: i) The increased number of licensed women.
In 2017 NWE the number was sitting at 126 licensed women and in 2018 NWE 50 new women have been licenced with Fijian Crafted and Sewn and brought the number to 176. ii) The increase in sales for the respective divisions, Central, Western, Northern and Eastern.

Divisional Craft Show 2018 The Divisional Craft shows are prerequisite for women artisans who wish to participate in the National Women’s Expo.
The Department for Women in partnership with Fiji Arts Council selects products and artisans who qualify for the expo and also shortlist artisans who will receive the ‘Fijian Made’ license at the Expo.

Divisional Crafts shows are conducted in March to give selected artisans ample time to improve and prepare.
table: sales Revenue by division dIvIsIon sALes Revenue Central Western Eastern Northern TOTAL $31,052.00 $28,247.00 $41,838.10 $16,379.00 $ 117,516.10 Honorable Mereseini Vuniwaqa with women’s group at the Northern Division Craft Show in Savusavu.
| 33 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 table: national women’s expo 2018 - sales Revenue dIvIsIon Central Northern Western Eastern total for Women Participants outside Stalls TOTAL ExPO SALES PARtICIPAnts dAy 1 dAy 2 dAy 3 totAL 79 83 78 100 340 55 395 $19,214.50 $21,619.50 $22,849.00 $63,683.00 $35,625.00 $19,307.50 $20,219.00 $75,151.50 $17,070.50 $13,568.50 $16,853.00 $47,492.00 $89,304.00 $43,842.00 $31,571.00 $164,717.00 $161,214.00 $98,337.50 $91,492.00 $351,043.50 $39,595.70 $26,208.00 $21,849.00 $87,652.70 $200,809.70 $124,545.50 $113,341.00 $438,696.20 Activity 5: rUrAL WoMen’S DAY This is a national event for the department for women and is celebrated every year across all the divisions in the department for women.
The international theme for Rural Women’s Day 2017 was “Challenges and opportunities in climate-resilient agriculture for gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”.

The department for women does this celebration to show support and recognition for the rural women in the community.

This is to ensure the sustainability of rural households and communities, improving rural livelihoods and overall well-being.
Activity 6: grAntS to WoMen’S inStitUtionS The MWCPA was provided with a budget of $200,000 to support Women’s Institutions.

Grants are given to women’s institutions and in this fiscal year the Department supported two women’s institutions, being the Ba Women’s Forum and the Makoi Women’s Vocational Center.

Activity 7: grAntS to ngo’S These grants are given to registered Women’s NGO’s to support their facilitation of services which are rendered for the empowerment of women in the community.
Five grants were provided during this fiscal year.’ Partners include: Fiji Netball (Black Pearls), AOG Women’s Group, The Catholic Women’s League, the Fiji Development Bank (e.g.

Business woman of the Year Award) and Graduate Women’s Association.

THEMATIC AREA 2: Equal ParticiPation in DEcision Making (EPDM) This thematic area focusses on women in leadership roles.
34 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Significant progress has been made through the adoption and implementation of various legislations, policies, national plans, legal frameworks, structures and strategic initiatives to accelerate and promote positive change for women and girls.

The MWCPA has been supporting women in markets during this reporting period.
Market vendors are predominantly women, and marketplaces offer important venues to effect women’s social and economic change.

There are now 12 market vendor associations in Fiji and women occupy 50% of leadership roles in all.

Training was undertaken for Women in Leadership all divisions in Fiji.
AnALYSiS oF tHe DiViSionAL iMPLeMentAtion in tHe eqUAL PArticiPAtion in DeciSion MAking ProgrAM Graph: equal Participation in decision making Programs Implemented by divisions NORTHERN 2 1 1 EASTERN WESTERN CENTRAL 0 0.5 1 1.5 Graph: sex disaggregated data by divisions NORTHERN 37 WESTERN 46 CENTRAL 0 20 40 4 2 121 60 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 Women in Leadership BRIDGE Training 80 100 120 140 Male Female The graph represents the number of activities that were carried out by each division.
In the area of EPDM; Women in Leadership and BRIDGE training are the two major activities.

The BRIDGE program is specifically targeted at women that are interested in politics and are already in leadership or decision making positions.
| 35 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 THEMATIC AREA 3: ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN The Ministry is committed to achieving the goal of having ‘A safer Community through the Elimination of violence against Women and Children’ working with service providers, communities and development agencies.
Activity 1: Zero toLerAnce VioLence Free coMMUnitY The program articulates the implementation of the zero tolerance free community activities at different locations.

This is the declaring of the community gender based violence training and monitoring of the ZTVFC community.
AnAlysis of the DivisionAl implementAtion in the eliminAtion of violence AgAinst Women progrAm The village of Tubou has been declared as a Violence Free Community Graph: elimination of violence Against women Activity Implemented by divisions NORTHERN 1 EASTERN WESTERN 3 5 2 10 5 5 3 CENTRAL 9 1 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Monitoring of the ZTVFC GBV Training Declared Community Committed ZTVFC Graph: sex disaggregated data by divisions NORTHERN 109 EASTERN 71 90 WESTERN CENTRAL 0 110 107 50 77 150 100 133 142 36 | 200 250 300 Male Female Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation The graph represents the key activities that were carried out by each division in the area of elimination of violence against women.
The VAW program includes phases of the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community (ZTVFC) national program.

Activity 2: launCH of tHe national ServiCe delivery ProtoCol (nSdP) The National Service Delivery Protocol (NSDP) was designed and delivered in partnership with UN Women who funded key components.

The ongoing activity is being coordinated by the Department of Women EVAW desk.
The NSDP is a standardized national guideline that provides a national referral pathway for service providers to enhance coordination and to assist survivors of gender based violence and sexual assault with medical assistance, legal advice, counselling and social services and emergency shelter.

His Excellency the President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konousi Konrote at the Launching of the National Service Delivery Protocol (NSDP) at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
Activity 3: tHe Male advoCaCy networK (Man uP) CaMPaign This was a new initiative by the Ministry, led by the EVAW desk to enhance the engagement of men to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The Ministry commenced this approach by working with identified male advocates or focal points within government agencies.

The first campaign aimed to encourage men to support women and girls and to help end VAWG.
Activity 4: 16 DAYS oF ActiViSM His Excellency the President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konousi Konrote at the Launching of the Man Up Campaign at Albert Park in Suva.

This is a national event for the department for women and is celebrated every year across all the division in the department for women.

The theme for the 16 Days of Activism is “Leave no one Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls”.
The aim of this global human rights campaign is to raise awareness to end VAWG and to encourage public engagement, participation and dialogue to end VAWG.

| 37 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Activity 5: tHe DoMeStic VioLence HeLPLine This helpline is facilitated by Fiji Women Crisis Centre.

The ministry provides support for the funds.


On 8th March 2017, the Ministry launched a project to provide a 24 hour toll free service called the Domestic Violence Helpline.

A budget of $200,000 per year was allocated.

The DV helpline is being implemented by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Center (FWCC).

The DV helpline provides information, referral and counselling support for victims and survivors of domestic violence/intimate partner violence in Fiji.
A total of 1083 calls were recorded in 2017 (March to December) and a total of 894 calls were recorded for 2018.

Activity 6: genDer bASeD VioLence AnD HUMAn rigHtS AWAreneSS trAining The human rights training is targeted at the Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament.

The idea was to create awareness and assist MP’s to recognize and understand gender issues related to their work.
It involved a 3 day training program that was facilitated by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Center and coordinated by the Department of Women, EVAW Desk.

THEMATIC AREA 4: ACCESS TO SERVICES 2017-2018 FY saw the expansion of the Access to Services desk with the establishment of a Gender and Climate Change thematic desk by the Honorable Minister during the CSW in New York in March 2018.

Gender and Climate Change became the sixth thematic area for the national gender program implemented by the Department of Women.
Another new activity that was introduced under the Women and Health program to empower women and girls was the promotion of reusable sanitary pads.

This was to support and promote health and hygiene in schools in rural areas and maritime islands.
AnAlysis of DivisionAl implementAtion in the Access to services progrAm Graph: elimination of violence Against women Activity Implemented by divisions NORTHERN 4 EASTERN 1 WESTERN CENTRAL 3 0 1 2 6 Solar Project Rocket Stove Women and Health 38 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Graph: sex disaggregated data by divisions NORTHERN 3 EASTERN 31 64 WESTERN 20 CENTRAL 53 162 111 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Male Female The graph represents the different number of activities that the Divisions carried out under the Access to Services desk.
The three activities reflected above are the key activities implemented under the Access to Services desk and also includes community consultations and monitoring of projects.

Activity 1: PiLoting oF tHe HYgiene SAnitArY kitS AnD binS This project was piloted in St. Johns School, Cawaci in Levuka.

The purpose of the hygiene sanitary kits is to assist and support boarding girls in the school and minimise economic burdens and maintain good healthy lifestyles.
THEMATIC AREA 5: WOMEN AND THE LAW The department works towards ensuring that women are well educated and aware of their rights and have access to justice.

Activity 1: 13tH trienniAL It is a conference for Pacific Women and sixth (6th) meeting for the Pacific Ministers for Women.

Fiji was nominated as a chair in the last Triennial and again nominated for the next 14th triennial.

The conference offered a unique space to share experience and advance equality on the theme of Women’s Economic empowerment.
In the 13th Triennial 22 Pacific Island member state countries were present.

Activity 2: CoMMiSSion on tHe StatuS of woMen (CSw) The CSW is an annual event and this year was the first time for the Director of Women to stay with the delegation for the entire two weeks of negotiations.

The selected topics were considered by various countries and different approaches were discussed.

The issues raised included sexual reproductive health and rights which is also important for the Department of Women in Fiji.
| 39 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Activity 3: conVention on tHe eLiMinAtion oF ALL ForMS oF DiScriMinAtion AgAinSt woMen (Cedaw) This thematic area coordinates the deliberation of the CEDAW Exercises that lead up to the 69th session for constructive dialogue in Geneva.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is the custodian of the convention in the Fiji Government.
This fiscal year 2017-2018 was the 69th session constructive dialogue with UNCEDAW committee for the defending of the 5th State CEDAW Report in Geneva and was led by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Honorable Mereseini Vuniwaqa.

The support team was the Permanent Secretary, Director Women, department for women senior officials and Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and Medical Services and Fiji Mission in Geneva.
Under CEDAW, the MWCPA also coordinates the training for legal literacy for the women’s groups in Fiji.
CEDAW Mock Session in preparation for the delegation for Geneva The CEDAW delegation headed by Madam Minister in preparation for the UN CEDAW Committee in Geneva AnAlysis of DivisionAl implementAtion in the Women AnD the lAW progrAm Graph: elimination of violence Against women Activity Implemented by divisions NORTHERN 7 1 WESTERN 1 CENTRAL 1 1 0 Legal Literacy Training CEDAW Awareness Graph: sex disaggregated data by divisions NORTHERN 60 136 WESTERN 8 15 CENTRAL 50 0 50 100 150 200 Male Female 250 40 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation The graph represents the number of activities each division carried out under the women and the law desk.
The two key activities under the program are legal literacy training and CEDAW awareness.

The activities implemented in the different key activities were the identified need by the divisional officers with their community women’s group.
Activity 4: FiJi WoMen’S FeDerAtion This program looks after: (i) Sewing Project (ii) Women Resource Centres and Ministerial Forums: Sewing Machine Project This was the first time for the Department of Women to train women as Trainers in the Sewing and Maintenance of the Sewing Machines.

A new Training Manual was developed to guide the trainees.

The recruitments included women from the four divisions; Northern, Eastern, Western and Central.
The purpose of the training is to train experience sewers in the community, (being women) who can facilitate the maintenance of sewing machines for other women in their communities and in women’s groups.’ AnAlysis of the seWing mAchine purchAseD by the seWing progrAm Graph: number of sewing machines Purchased by the ministry and delivered to the divisions WESTERN 8 4 CENTRAL 15 6 NORTHERN 2 1 EASTERN 5 0 No: of Sewing Machines Delivered No: of Community The graph represents the number of sewing machines that were purchased from the Sewing program money in this fiscal year 2017-2018.
10 of this sewing machines are electrical whereas 25 manual operating.
AnAlysis of the seWing mAchines DistributeD to the Division thAt Were given by inDiAn government Graph: number of sewing machines distributed WESTERN 4 CENTRAL 23 6 NORTHERN 3 1 EASTERN 6 5 0 No: of Sewing Machines Distributed No: of Community | 41 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 The graph represents the number of sewing machines that were distributed to the division which were given to the Ministry by the Indian government.
These machines were distributed to the community in the fiscal year 2017-2018.
AnAlysis of the seWing progrAm trAining Graph: number of sewing training in division and sex disaggregated data for sewing training WESTERN 1 45 CENTRAL NORTHERN EASTERN 5 3 15 2 216 135 0 50 100 150 200 250 Number of Female Participants No: of Sewing Training in Division [0 - male Participants] The graph represents the number of sewing training that was conducted in the four division in the fiscal year 2017-2018 and one Sewing training for skilled women to become trainers in own community.
Activity 5: MiniSteriAL ForUM The Ministerial forum engages Civil Society Organizations, NGO’s and the private sector in dialogue around gender and social inclusion.

The forum is chaired by the Honorable Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.
The forum encourages input from various representatives on key issues, highlights emerging priorities and provides an opportunity for improved collaboration with an aim to validate the relevancy of the Ministries programs and to identify opportunities and gaps.

Activity 6: internAtionAL WoMen’S DAY The Civil Society Organisations, NGO’s and Private Sectors participate during the Ministerial Forum at Novotel Hotel in Lami.
This is a national event for the department for women and is celebrated every year across all the division in the department for women.

The theme for the International Women’s Day 2017 was “Press for Progress”.
42 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Poverty Monitoring Unit The core responsibility of the Unit is to increase the effectiveness of the Poverty Alleviation Programmes (PAP) which contributes to the Government’s commitment towards reducing poverty and addressing the socio-economic development needs of the people.

This is to ensure that the implementers of PAP review and implement policies & processes to improve programme performance.
This aligns with the Unit’s key role to plan, manage and coordinate the implementation of national poverty reduction policies and programmes through the Integrated National Poverty Eradication Programme.

MONITOR, EVALUATE AND REPORT intEgratED national PovErty EraDication PrograMME (inPEP) The Unit monitored eighteen (18) Poverty Alleviation Programmes across 8 line agencies.
This was carried out with the support of Programme Implementers and in consultation with Divisional Commissioners and District Offices in the Central, Western, Northern and Eastern Divisions whereby the PMU team were able to formulate (17) Programme Divisional Reports and Policy Briefs, and also Cabinet Information Papers were prepared on the Programmes monitored.

The following programmes were monitored: 1.


Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation ▶ Fiji National Womens Expo ▶ Women’s Extension Center and Resource Centre ▶ NGO Grant | 43 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 ▶ Social Pension Scheme ▶ IGP (Department of Women) ▶ Welfare Graduation Programme ▶ Rural Pregnant Mothers Food Voucher Programme ▶ Improve Access to Basic Services (Solar Mama & Rocket Stove) 2.
Ministry of Agriculture ▶ Sigatoka Valley Agriculture Development Programme ▶ Apiculture Industry Development Programme 3.

Ministry of Education, Heritage & Arts, Library Services & National Archives ▶ Free Education Programme (Year 1-13) ▶ Free Milk Programme (Year 1) 4.

Ministry of Rural & Maritime Development & National Disaster Management ▶ Grant to Self-Help Programme 5.

Ministry of Health and Medical Services ▶ Free Medicine Programme 6.
Ministry of Industry, Trade & Tourism ▶ Micro & Small Business Grant Programme 7.

Fiji Corrections Services ▶ Poverty Alleviation Programme ▶ Yellow Ribbon Programme 8.

Water Authority of Fiji ▶ Other Rural Water Supply POVERTy INFORMATION CENTRE The aim of the Information Center (database) is to provide knowledge for the Integrated National Poverty Eradication Programme and to create a sense of common purpose, practice and performance.
The Unit continues to update the PIC through consultation with Programme Implementers and other Government Agencies.

44 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation POVERTy REDUCTION AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS: intErnational Day for thE EraDication of PovErty (iDEP) The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was commemorated on the 04th – 06th October 2017 at Naduri District School, Macuata Northern Division.
With the theme: “Answering the call of October 17 to end Poverty: A path toward peaceful and inclusive societies”, the Poverty Monitoring Unit in collaboration with its stakeholders, organized this event with the aim of bringing Government, Non - Government Organizations, Financial Institutions and Educational Institution services to the doorsteps of those living in the most remote rural communities.
The three day event showcased how living in a state of poverty can affect everyone irrespective of gender, race, age or disability.

This was seen in how the Early Childhood Education, Primary Schools and Secondary Schools portrayed how living in Poverty can affect the livelihoods of families.

One important lesson learnt from the oratory competitions, drama and poems is that Poverty can lead to a life of crime, broken families, domestic violence and inevitably children being neglected of basic necessities.
Other services provided at no to little cost were: ▶ Free medical check - up included free tooth extraction ▶ Vodafone e-Ticketing ▶ Sewing Training (Theory & Practical) ▶ Printing of Birth Certificate and Death Certificate HigHLigHtS oF tHe ProgrAMMe tablE: tyPEs of sErvicEs ProviDED to thE Public During thE 3 - Day EvEnt NO: NAME OF AGENCy TyPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED 1 Commissioner Northern Division – Ministry of Rural & Maritime Development & National Disaster Management ▶ Rural Housing Assistance (Forms Available) ▶ Self Help Programs (Forms Available) ▶ House Plans for 2 and 3 Bedroom Dwelling 2 Ministry of Youth & Sports ▶ Registration of Youth Clubs ▶ Expression of Interest on Skills Training for those between 15 – 35 Years of Age.
▶ Attending to Any Questions relating to Sports.

3 4 5 Ministry of Lands & Minerals Resources ▶ Handing Maps for Children Fiji Police Force ▶ Display of Safety Equipment’s ▶ Information on Community Policing Ministry of Fisheries and Forests ▶ Providing Information on Sandalwood and different types of Indigenous Species.

▶ Advise on Income Generating Projects relating to Fisheries.

▶ Advise on Management of Sea and Land Resources.


| 45 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 NO: NAME OF AGENCy TyPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED 6 Ministry of Infrastructure & Works ▶ Sales of Wooden Craft Made by the Joinery De- partment.

▶ If you’ve done a Joinery Course, Can seek their Advice on Career Opportunities.

▶ Also if You Seek Mechanical Services Can Request them mainly for Government Vehicles.
7 Ministry of Health & Medical Services ▶ Doctors consultation ▶ NCD screening ▶ Dental Clinic ▶ Tooth extraction ▶ Surgical referral ▶ Dietician ▶ Reproductive Health 8 Ministry of Education, Heritage & Arts, Library Services & National Archives ▶ Library Services of Fiji ■ School Library Services ■ Community Library Services ▶ Technology & Unemployment Skills Training (TEST) ■ Home Economics ■ Agriculture ■ Woodwork ■ Office Technology ■ Technical Drawing ■ Computer Studies ■ Clothing & Textiles ■ Careers Education ■ Student Package for a successful Career.
▶ Poverty Benefit scheme ▶ Social Pension Scheme ▶ Care and Protection Allowance ▶ Bus Fare Concession ▶ Disability Allowance Scheme ▶ Income Generating Project ▶ Poverty Alleviation Programme (Housing) ▶ Sewing Machine Training ▶ PMU - Poverty Alleviation Programme Awareness ▶ Careers Advice on Town Planners ▶ Assistance for first Home Owners ▶ Fire Victims ▶ Land Owner Grant ▶ Technical Advice for Building, Subdivision & Dairy Shops.
9 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation 10 Department of Town and Country Planning 11 Department of Immigration ▶ Passport Application 12 Fiji Bureau of Statistics ▶ Create Awareness on Census ▶ Role of National Office 46 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation NO: NAME OF AGENCy TyPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED 13 Ministry of Agriculture ▶ Agriculture Services 14 Water Authority of Fiji ▶ Form for Water Tanks ▶ Need Services Water Cart ▶ Forms for New Connections 15 Northern Development Programme ▶ Grants Mainly for Agriculture Programs Range of $2,500 - $25,000 16 Fiji Electricity Authority ▶ Electricity Subsidy Programme 17 Consumer Council of Fiji ▶ Advisory Services ▶ Complaints Handling ▶ Awareness 18 Reserve Bank of Fiji ▶ Create Awareness on the Role of Reserve Bank of Fiji 19 Housing Authority of Fiji ▶ Forms for Expression of Interest for Housing Lots recently Advertised in Local Newspapers: ■ Suva ■ Western Division ■ Labasa 20 National Fire Authority ▶ Display of Fire Safety Equipment 21 Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission ▶ Creating Awareness of Promoting Competition in Fijian Markets 22 Fiji Roads Authority ▶ Taking Complaints Related to Roads ▶ Creation of Awareness on Importance of Roads to Children 23 Biosecurity Authority of Fiji ▶ Creating Awareness on Pests and Diseases 24 Fiji Revenue & Customs Authority ▶ Registration of Joint Card 25 Fiji National Provident Fund ▶ Nomination Forms ▶ Voluntary Memberships ▶ Memorandum of Administration ▶ Online Registration 26 Unit Trust of Fiji ▶ Advise general public on products and services 27 REACH Programme available ▶ Enquiries on existing accounts ▶ Legal Aid Commission ▶ Vodafone e-Ticketing ▶ Ministry of Women ▶ Referrals to Welfare | 47 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 NO: NAME OF AGENCy 28 Technical College 29 University of the South Pacific TyPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED ▶ Cooking Course ▶ Sewing Training (Theory & Practical) ▶ Information on USP Programs.
▶ Application Forms for Pacific TAFE Programs ▶ Start Courses & Skills Based 30 Save the Children Fund ▶ Please visit Save the Children Fund Booth and meet Iggy the Iguana.

Iggy is a specialist in school safety and risk reduction and has come to Naduri District School today to teach us the rules for safe- ty in case of emergency or disaster 31 Fiji Red Cross ▶ Advocating for the Assistance through Fiji Red Cross especially to the Vulnerable in Society.
32 Copra Millers ▶ Display of Copra Samples 33 BLK ▶ Sales of Virgin Coconut oil.

34 Fiji Development Bank ▶ Sale of Sports merchandise 35 Westpac ▶ Advise on Financial Services ▶ Advise on lending for business for small, medium enterprises; Agriculture and renewable energy.

▶ Opening of New Bank Accounts ▶ Advise on in store Banking (requirements) ▶ Assist general public with enquiries on products and services available.
School Participation The IDEP event to which its primary objective was to bring forth Government & Non-Government services to the doorsteps of rural communities also included a range of activities one of which to mention is the school participation.

This initiative was brought forth to target poverty at the grass root level and through this, more awareness is created which would ultimately have a multiplier effect on the future generation.
Thus, during the event, a total of 15 Primary Schools, 5 secondary schools and 3 ECE’s were present.

These schools participated in oratory competitions, poems, dramas and also sung poverty reduction songs.
TABLE: STUDENTS & TEACHERS REGISTRATION DAy GENDER AGE GROUP Male Female 1-5yrs 6-13yrs 14-18yrs 19-35yrs 36-55yrs 56+yrs 1 2 3 TOTAL 153 141 116 410 151 187 112 450 22 19 - 41 190 239 141 570 72 49 73 194 15 14 8 37 5 6 6 17 - 1 - 1 Total Per Day 304 328 228 48 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation tablE: Public (ParticiPation) dAy GendeR AGe GRouP Male Female 1-5yrs 6-13yrs 14-18yrs 19-35yrs 36-55yrs 56+yrs 1 2 3 TOTAL Total Per Day 372 436 393 There were 21 Villages and 35 Settlements in the District of Macuata and Sasa involved in this 3 day event as well as two (2) Villages which are Yaro and Daku of Kia Island.
Kia Island a maritime island in the Province of Macuata is located 24km from the mainland.

trainings / WorkshoPs The following trainings/workshop was attended by PMU Staff: china executive Leadership Academy Pudong (ceLAP) training – beijing, china The CELAP is a Shanghai-based national institution funded by the Central Government.
It provides range of Programs tailored for intermediate and senior government officials, business executives and other senior professionals with the mission to strive to foster and sustain strong, ethical and effective leadership for coordinated development of economy and society, mutual understanding of different cultures and promotion of global peace and prosperity.
Mereoni Tuimuru receiving her certificate Fijian delegation with the CELAP Training Officials PMU Officer Mrs. Tuimuru (middle) with other participants of the workshop | 49 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 tHe totAL cUStoMer bLUePrint: Monitoring & evaluation of internal & external customers – ctD, nasese To gain expert knowledge on further understanding the monitoring and evaluation aspect for improved training and development.
It is useful in examining interactions between people and their experiences and also improving those experiences and creating a sustainable process to manage the internal and external customers need with the understanding of their expectations which is essential for any organization.
The training highlights were as follows: ▶ Identify the needs of both its external customers (communities) and internal customers (employees) ▶ Design Customer Retention Programs and Customer Relationship Programs ▶ Develop a Marketing Gap analysis for the local market internally and externally ▶ Design Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the department ▶ Provide Training and Development on the Total Service Blueprint Poverty Monitoring Unit (PMU) Staff with Hon.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa 50 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Corporate Services Department This report details the achievement of the Corporate Services Division for the year 2017-2018.

The Division’s activities are driven towards achieving the outputs as per the 2017-2018 Annual Corporate Plan for the Ministry.
CORPORATE SERVICES The Corporate Service is responsible to the Permanent Secretary in the following areas: Human Resource Management and Development The Corporate Services ensures that the Constitutional functions of the Permanent Secretary are carried out efficiently and effectively and with due economy.

This includes appointments, discipline, termination, and contract management.

It also ensures compliance to terms and conditions of employment; and staff training and development.
The unit is also responsible for the welfare of staff that includes cooperate social responsibilities and health and well-being.

Finance Management Corporate Services is also responsible for prudent management of funds and comply with reporting requirements under the Financial Management Act and Regulation.

The Unit also administers the recovery of loan under the student loan scheme and Trade and Manufacturing Account (TMA).
It also ensures the proper management and maintenance of assets which includes vehicles, buildings, equipment and office fittings to ensure comfortable and conducive work environment.

It ensures formulation of annual procurement plan and conduct annual board of survey in accordance with the Fiji Procurement Regulations.
| 51 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 SUMMARy OF WORK CARRIED OUT tABLe: AdmInIstRAtIon of tHe PeRmAnent seCRetARy’s ConstItutIonAL PoweRs tARGeted outPut ACHIevement mALe femALe APPOINTMENTS TERMINATION RESIGNATION TRANSFERS NEC APPOINTMENT JICA VOLUNTEERS DISCIPLINE tABLe: HumAn ResouRCes mAnAGement tARGeted outPut TRAINING PLAN TRAINING ATTENDED ( LOCAL) TRAINING ATTENDED (OVERSEAS) 84 1 4 20 12 2 5 43 25 42 1 1 11 5 2 1 ACHIevement 1 15 7 42 3 9 7 4 28 18 ORGANISATIONAL MANAGEMENT The Corporate Services continues to provide organizational support to all the Departments within the Ministry on the following; 1.
Management of Transport During the beginning of the financial year, we had 38 vehicles.

Throughout the year, the Ministry’s fleet increased to 62 with all Divisions getting a vehicle to assist them in the delivery of service.

This is in line with the Governments vision of taking out our services to all.

2.

Leave Management Processing of leave is an ongoing process.

Leave updates is provided to Divisional Heads on a monthly basis.

3.
3.

Homes Care Initiative The Homes Care Initiative was one of the major programmed carried out by the Ministry.

The Corporate Services provided logistical support in all areas ranging from accommodation, transportation and allowances for the 192 Officers and 50 Vodafone personnel.
52 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation SUMMARy OF WORK CARRIED OUT ciViL SerVice reForM ORGANISATIONAL MANAGEMENT With the implementation of the Civil Service Reforms being introduced in the Civil Service, the Ministry implements the following during the financial year: 1.

Job Evaluation The job evaluation exercise resulted in the implementation of results for the Welfare Officers and the IT cadre.
All Officers from Senior Welfare Officers down to Welfare Officers were redeployed and currently on acting appointment until the position are substantively filled.

This is due to the fact that their salaries increased by over 15%.

This also applied to our Computer Operators.

A total of 92 Officers are on redeployment contracts.

2.
2.

Performance Management While the performance management is still being under further consideration, the Ministry implemented the programme by way of ensuring that the all Officers fill in their MyAPA for this financial year.

ACCOUNTS SECTION The Accounts Section of the Ministry carries out its key responsibilities through the following and also ensures that all Financial processes for the financial year 2017-18 is carried out in accordance with all relevant Financial Act in place: 1.
Management of all Ministry’s payments through: ▶ Payments to service providers (various suppliers).

▶ Monthly payments of Social welfare beneficiaries through the various social protection programme.

▶ Printing of social welfare programme allowance and food vouchers for maritime recipients.

▶ Facilitating other financial requirements on task delegated to the Ministry apart from the normal Ministry financial operations.

2.

Monitoring and Compliance through: Compiling and attending to OAG queries.
▶ In compliance to Finance Instructions, Act and Circulars.

▶ Adhere to financial regulations through provision of financial statements to MOE: i.

Salary and wages ii.

IDC iii.

RFA iv.

Imprest v. Drawings vi.

Trust vii.

True Trust viii.

VAT ix.

BLC ▶ Submission of AFS statements to OAG.

▶ Attending and compilation of Audit Queries to OAG.
| 53 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 reACh projeCT Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion (REACH) for Rural and Urban Fijians 54 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation REACH Programme The REACH Project aims to promote peace building, social cohesion and inclusiveness.
Project conducts awareness raising of the social, economic and legal rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, provides access to the services associated with these rights, and also strengthens institutional capacity to deliver these services.

A mobile service delivery approach is undertaken to reach communities throughout all of Fiji with the focus to reach the furthest behind first.
HIGHLIGHTS The REACH Team comprising of the officials from the United Na- tions Development Programme (UNDP), Fiji Human Rights and Anti – Discrimination Commission, Ministry of Justice – Birth, Death and Marriage, Legal Aid Commission and the Ministry accompanied the Honorable Mereseini Vuniwaqa official tour to the Lau Group from the 15th – 23rd of August, 2017.

The Minister visited the islands of Moala, Totoya, Oneata, Lakeba, Nayau, Tuvuca, Vanuabalavu.
These islands were provided with essential Government services through a mobile service delivery approach.

Aside from the Lau Tour, REACH was also part of Honorable Minister’s tour to the Natuvu in Saqani and Lekutu in Bua.
REACH TEAM pictured outside the Oneata Women’s Extension Centre before the Talanoa Session | 55 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Invitations were also received from the Divisional Commissioners and Prime Minister’s office for REACH to be accompanying other Government Ministries as well.
internAtionAL engAgeMentS The Director Social Welfare Mr. Rupeni Fatiaki led a Fijian Delegation consisting of the REACH Gov- ernment Focal Officer Mr. Filipe Nayacalevu and UNDP’s REACH Reporting and Communications Specialist Ms. Ria Sen to the “Innovations in Service Delivery and the Scope for South-South and Tri- angular Cooperation” forum which was organized by the Access to Information initiative (a2i) under the Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
The delegation also attended the Digital World ICT Expo on the margins of the forum.

They also engaged in networking with key Government agencies, sharing of experiences and best practices from Fiji regarding public service delivery and learning innovative best practices that Bangladesh has established to improve public service delivery and reach the underprivileged.
The visit also saw UNDP signing an inter country Memorandum of Understanding that allows a software con- tracted company in Bangladesh to develop and implement a digital application that allows citizens to apply and keep track of their Poverty Benefit Scheme applications under the Department of Social Welfare.

Sign LAngUAge AcceSS in tHe reAcH MobiLe SerVice DeLiVerY bUS Members of the Fiji Association of the Deaf (FAD) were part of the outreach session at the Nausori Market in November 2017.
Their inclusion to the programme provided per- sons with hearing loss access to social, economic and legal services and equal access to justice and government services such as human rights.

Their services also included the communication of the needs of the hearing and visually impaired citizens through sign language interpretations to the gov- ernment officials.
56 | Ms. Asena Waqa using sign language translation to Ms. Davui Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation FiJi nAtionAL WoMen’S eXPo The Capacity Building Workshop for the Central and Eastern Division Women was the buildup programme for the Fiji National Women’s Expo in June, 2018.

The workshop was support by the REACH Project under the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The 2 day workshop from the 18th – 19th of June was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel which catered for 100 women artisans who were selected to represent their villages in the National Women’s Expo.

The participants had the opportunity to learn and understand the areas of empowerment under the Social, Economic and Political.
The first day session covered the social and political sectors, where the facilitators included the Legal Aid Commission, Fiji Human Rights and Anti – Discrimination Commission, Medical Service Pacific, Department of Social Welfare – Child Services Unit and the Parliament of Fiji Civic Education.

The women also had the opportunity to visit the Fijian Parliament.

The Second day was targeted at the economic sector and the facilitators were Westpac Bank, Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission.
Apart from the workshop, the government agencies that were part of the REACH Team in the communities were also part of the exposition in the 3 days expo from the 21st to the 23rd of June at the FMF National Gymnasium.

FEATURES OF THE REACH MOBILE UNITS THE REACH MOBILE UNITS conceptualizes the model of putting “offices” on wheels.

It is robustly built for sealed and unsealed roads, equipped with smart technologies that are user and eco – friendly.
The following features have made the REACH bus more unique: | 57 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 1.

Accessibility aided by a chair lift that will assist all community members including children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

These are the first locally installed chair lifts in buses, a first for Fiji.

2.
2.

Solar energy with stored energy capability to operate laptop computers, printers, lights, fans, projectors and provide internet connectivity to the REACH teams when out on missions in remote areas.

The use of a solar system will promote a sustained use of energy and is environmentally friendly.

This is also a first for Fiji.

3.

The bus has been wired to switch to 240-volt energy to allow connection to an electrical power supply when the solar energy is exhausted.

4.
4.

Each bus is designed and manufactured to meet LTA requirements and the vehicles width, height, turning circle, wheelbase and ground clearance provide for easy manoeuvrability on both sealed and unsealed roads.

5.

The vehicles are diesel driven.

The Fijian governments’ initiative of introducing 10ppm diesel is aimed at reducing emissions and these buses will comply with this requirement.

6.

The bus interior has been designed and constructed to be robust.
This applies to the fittings and fixtures, seating, meeting rooms, storage, sound proofing, insulation, and LED lighting.

7.

Private sound-proofed meeting rooms to conduct meetings with fold up/fold down furniture.

Additional workstations with fold up/fold down furniture.

8.

Roof hatches and windows installed for ventilation and natural light.
58 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation L A T O T % S E C I V R E S D E R E V I L E D % 2 1 % 5 2 % 5 2 % 8 3 5 6 0 2 3 0 3 4 9 0 3 4 4 9 5 6 % 0 0 1 1 7 2 7 1 % 0 0 1 N E M 0 4 9 4 4 0 2 5 7 9 1 0 3 8 2 9 8 7 7 % % % – 7 1 0 2 T S U G U A % 3 1 % 3 2 % 8 2 % 7 3 7 1 4 1 3 1 4 2 2 5 9 2 7 1 9 3 % 0 0 1 9 9 6 0 1 % 0 0 1 8 3 7 9 1 0 7 3 1 5 7 6 5 3 1 % 3 1 3 5 6 9 7 1 1 0 4 4 1 1 0 5 1 3 7 7 4 % 5 4 6 2 7 7 3 0 1 2 4 1 1 5 6 6 1 0 7 5 4 % % 9 4 % % – y l u J 8 1 0 2 – % % 4 2 % 9 % 2 1 % 2 1 % 3 % 1 % 3 1 % 1 % 3 2 % % % % 5 5 I N O I S S I M M O C N O I T A N M I R C S I D - & R
M T R A P E D S R E D L O H E K A T S S E G A I R R A M & S H T A E D , % L A T O T | 59 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 tablE: total sErvicEs Data Legal Aid commission Service Family Law Issues Civil Law Issues Criminal Issue General Issues Other Sub-ToTal Sub-ToTal PERCENTaGE % Department of Women Service Women’s Club Related Women’s Leadership Training Income Generation Programme Related Elimination of GBV Other General Sub-ToTal Sub-ToTal PERCENTaGE % Department of Social Welfare Service Poverty Benefit Scheme Bus Fare Assistance Social Pension Scheme Care & Protection Birth Certificate Child Protection / Abuse Fire Victims Food Voucher Disability Allowance Other Sub-ToTal Sub-ToTal PERCENTaGE % Women 347 171 85 113 51 767 47% Women 941 257 542 79 175 1994 94% Women 491 290 491 350 106 128 6 54 67 197 2180 52% Fiji Human rights And Anti-Discrimination commission Service Legal Issues 60 | Women 12 Men 251 258 162 140 51 862 53% Men 43 13 27 20 25 128 6% Men 552 340 464 174 98 98 3 31 64 199 2023 48% Men 26 TOTAL 598 429 247 253 102 1629 100% TOTAL 984 270 569 99 200 2122 100% TOTAL 1043 630 955 524 204 226 9 85 131 396 4203 100% TOTAL 38 Sub-Total % 37% 26% 15% 16% 6% 100% Sub-Total % 46% 13% 27% 5% 9% 100% Sub-Total % 25% 15% 23% 12% 5% 5% 0% 2% 3% 9% 100% Sub-Total % 18% Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation tablE: total sErvicEs Data Fiji Human rights And Anti-Discrimination commission (cont’d) Service Child Rights Human Rights, Role and Functions Village Rights Student’s Rights Sub-ToTal Sub-ToTal PERCENTaGE % government officials (roko, tui & d.o) Service Water Land FEA / Power Education Health Access Roads Jetty/ Bridge / Irish-Crossing Transport / LTA Employment Village by-Law Other Sub-ToTal Sub-ToTal PERCENTaGE % Medical Service Pacific (MSP)
 Service Dissemination of Information in SRHR including GE, Child Protection Condoms Distribution IEC Distribution General Counselling Stress Counselling GBV / IPV Counselling Family Planning Counselling Positive Parenting Group Counselling Women 11 18 7 3 51 24% Women 14 8 6 10 8 6 16 3 0 6 61 138 26% Women 717 4 4 26 0 2 8 14 110 Men 33 45 34 23 161 76% Men 39 55 19 7 33 51 30 37 11 7 98 387 74% Men 648 18 5 4 0 0 0 5 15 TOTAL Sub-Total % 44 63 41 26 212 100% 21% 30% 19% 12% 100% TOTAL Sub-Total % 53 63 25 17 41 57 46 40 11 13 159 525 100% TOTAL 1365 22 9 30 0 2 8 19 125 10% 12% 5% 3% 8% 11% 9% 8% 2% 2% 30% 100% Sub-Total % 60% 1% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0% 1% 6% | 61 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 tablE: total sErvicEs Data Medical Service Pacific (MSP) - cont’d Service Individual Counselling Sexual Reproductive Health Cervical Screening Post-Natal Care IMCI GOPD / SOPD Breast Examination Family Planning Users Family Planning Consultation Prostate Screening Pregnancy Test Sub-ToTal Sub-ToTal PERCENTaGE % bDM (birth, Death & Marriage) Service Registration of Birth Registration of Death Registration of Marriage Issue of Birth Certificate Issue of Death Certificate Issue of Marriage Cetificate Others - VKB, Name change Sub-ToTal Sub-ToTal PERCENTaGE % Fiji competition & consumer commission (Fccc) Service Dissemination of the role of FCCC as an independent regulator in Fiji including contact details Discuss on the importance of promoting competition in the Fijian markets and identifying major regulated industries Highlighting items under price control with maximum prices quoted.
Highlighting prevalent unfair trade practice issues 62 | Women 43 8 95 13 10 123 146 14 116 0 9 1462 65% Women 335 23 42 213 8 36 464 1121 54% Women 27 6 32 15 Men 26 0 1 0 2 63 1 0 0 12 0 800 35% Men 282 27 37 201 10 46 361 964 46% Men 37 18 37 26 TOTAL Sub-Total % 69 8 96 13 12 186 147 14 116 12 9 2262 100% TOTAL 617 50 79 414 18 82 825 2085 100% 3% 0% 4% 1% 1% 8% 6% 1% 5% 1% 0% 100% Sub-Total % 30% 2% 4% 20% 1% 4% 40% 100% TOTAL Sub-Total % 64 24 69 41 27% 10% 29% 17% Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation tablE: total sErvicEs Data Fiji competition & consumer commission (Fccc) - cont’d Service Advices on rights and responsibilities of consumers during trade Highlighting penalties providing for breaches of the FCCC Act 2010 Sub-ToTal Sub-ToTal PERCENTaGE % otHer MiniStrieS Service Ministry of Youth & Sports Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Health Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji Ministry of Fisheries & Forestry Land Transport Authority Ministry of Education Vodafone (Bus-fare card) Fiji Women Crisis Center Fiji i-Taukei Affairs Board Fiji Police Force Spinal Injury Association Westpac Bank FIRCA Fiji Association of the Deaf Water Authority of Fiji Sub-ToTal Sub-ToTal PERCENTaGE % TOTAL SERVICES % TOTAL SERVICES Women 15 8 103 43% Women 56 1 37 9 45 1 56 796 10 87 94 139 218 115 1 1 1666 42% 9482 55% Men 13 5 136 57% Men 132 78 37 23 79 2 107 1116 1 155 154 135 206 81 0 22 2328 58% 7789 45% TOTAL Sub-Total % 28 13 239 100% TOTAL 188 79 74 32 124 3 163 12% 5% 100% Sub-Total % | 63 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 AudiTed FinAnCiAl Statements 2017 - 2018 ▶ Independent Auditors Report ▶ Management Certificate ▶ Statement of Receipts and Expenditure ▶ Appropriation Statement ▶ Statement of Losses ▶ Trust Fund Account Statement of Receipts and Payments ▶ Notes To and Forming Part of Financial Statements 64 | Annual Report
 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | 65 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 66 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | 67 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 MiniStrY oF WoMen, cHiLDren AnD PoVertY ALLeViAtion MAnAgeMent certiFicAte FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JUlY 2018 MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE We certify that these financial statements: (a) fairly reflect the financial operations and performance of the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation for the year ended 31 July 2018; and (b) have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Financial Management Act, Finance Instructions 2010 and Finance (Amendment) Instructions 2016.
.................................................... Ms. Jennifer Poole Permanent Secretary .................................................... Mrs. Venina Duvuduvukula A/Principal Accounts Officer Date: 09/10/19 Date: 30/10/19 68 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Statement of Receipts and Expenditure For the Financial Period ended 31 July 2018 REVENUE STATE REVENUE OPERATING REVENUE ToTal STaTe Revenue AGENCy REVENUE MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE ToTal agency Revenue ToTal Revenue EXPENDITURE OPERATING EXPENDITURE ESTABLISHED STAFF GOVERNMENT WAGE EARNERS TRAVEL & COMMUNICATION MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS PURCHASE OF GOODS & SERVICES OPERATING GRANTS & TRANSFERS SPECIAL ExPENDITURE ToTal opeRaTing expendiTuRe CAPITAL EXPENDITURE CAPITAL PURCHASE CAPITAL GRANTS & TRANSFERS ToTal capiTal expendiTuRe value added Tax ToTal expendiTuRe Note 31 July 2018 ($) 31 July 2017 ($) 3(a) 3(b) 3(c) 3(d) 3(e) 3(f) 3(g) 3(h) 3(i) 3 ( j) 11,553 11,553 17,467 17,467 29,020 6,668,882 2,337,894 787,355 986,991 2,592,356 89,639,571 2,798,501 105,811,550 --- 740,181 740,181 6,915 6,915 2,407 2,407 9,322 5,473,831 1,574,668 375,953 756,193 1,269,507 49,393,442 2,258,398 61,101,992 88,116 952,817 1,040,933 327,486 227,308 106,879,217 62,370,233 | 69 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Appropriation Statement For the Financial Period ended 31 July 2018 SEG ITEM a b (a-b) Budget Estimate $ Appropriation Changes $ Revised Estimate $ Actual Expenditure $ Lapsed Appropriation $ OPERATION COSTS ESTABLISHED STAFF 6,874,609 (205,713) 6,668,896 6,668,882 UNESTABLISHED STAFF 1,529,391 808,524 2,337,915 2,337,894 TRAVEL & COMMUNICATION MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS 470,000 933,700 345,872 815,872 787,355 157,991 1,091,691 986,991 PURCHASE OF GOODS & SERVICES 1,855,342 763,645 2,618,987 2,592,356 14 21 28,517 104,700 26,631 OPERATING GRANTS & TRANSFERS 96,237,312 (2,185,223) 94,052,089 89,639,571 4,412,518 SPECIAL ExPENDITURE 3,055,785 312,885 3,368,670 2,798,501 5,142,570 ToTal opeRaTing coSTS 110,956,139 (2,019) 110,954,120 105,811,550 5,142,570 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 8 9 CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION CAPITAL PURCHASE 10 CAPITAL GRANTS & TRANSFERS ToTal capiTal expendiTuRe --- --- 1,838,000 1,838,000 --- --- --- --- --- --- 1,838,000 1,838,000 --- --- 740,181 740,181 --- --- 1,097,819 1,097,819 13 value added Tax 560,000 2,019 562,019 327,486 234,533 ToTal expendiTuRe 113,354,139 --- 113,354,139 106,879,217 6,474,922 reasons for Significant Savings The Savings of $4,412,518 in Operating Grants & Transfers Allocation (SEG 6) was mainly due to newly introduced program on allowance for people living with disability for which the payments started in October 2017.
The delay in payment was due to training provided to staff on the new program.

In addition, the unused and unredeemed vouchers resulted in savings of $536,358 in food voucher program for rural pregnant mothers.

Savings in Capital Grants and Transfers (SEG 10) allocation was mainly due to identified site for western disability centre not being disability friendly which resulted in savings of $500,000 in Capital Grants to Organisations for Persons with Disability.
70 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Statement of Losses For the Financial Period ended 31 July 2018 Loss of Money There was no loss of money recorded for the year ended 31 July, 2018.

Loss of revenue There was no loss of revenue recorded for the year ended 31 July, 2018.

Loss (other than money) The Board of Survey has been carried out in accordance with Section 49 of the Finance Instruction 2010.
| 71 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund Account Statement of Receipts and Payments For the Financial Period ended 31 July 2018 Note 31 July 2018 ($) 31 July 2017 ($) OPENING BALANCE RECEIPTS REVENUE RETURNED CHEQUE’S ToTal ReceipTS PAyMENTS BANK FEES HELP FOR HOMES REFUND PAYMENT TO RECIPIENTS ToTal ReceipTS 980,000 10,500 990,500 62 800,331 800,393 cloSing Balance aS aT 31 July 2018 8 190,107 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 72 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Notes To and Forming Part of the Financial Statements For the Financial Period ended 31 July 2018 NOTE 1: REPORTING ENTITy The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation oversees the three departments: Department of Social Welfare, Department of Women and Poverty Monitoring Unit.
Government is committed to reducing poverty to a negligible level and these Departments further that cause by breaking down barriers erected by gender, age, disability and economic standing.

The Department of Social Welfare administers Fiji’s recently-reformed social welfare programs, which include the Poverty Benefit Scheme, the Child Protection Allowance, the Food Voucher Program, the Social Pension Scheme.
In managing these programs, the Department is responsible for ensuring that assistance targets those most in need and eliminating corruption and fraud in the system.

The Department is equally committed to ensuring that these programs do not create a culture of dependency, focusing efforts and energy on graduating individuals and families from “welfare to workfare” through its Welfare Graduation Program and Executive Support Unit Projects.
The Department also has the statutory responsibility to ensure the protection and wellbeing of children, which includes managing juvenile centres.

The Ministry manages the three state owned homes for senior citizens and leads the National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) and the National Coordinating Committee for Children (NCCC).
The Department of Women and Children is responsible for mainstreaming gender in the public service through the National Gender Policy, and does so by promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls through the implementation of the National Women’s Plan of Action.
The National Women’s Plan of Action is aimed at boosting women’s employment opportunities, increasing women’s participation in decision making, eliminating violence against women and girls, improving women’s access to basic services and addressing women’s issues in new legislation.

The Department works with other Ministries to promote gender equality and ensure that gender perspectives are addressed in all Government policies and initiatives.
The Poverty Monitoring Unit evaluates Government’s poverty related programmes and makes policy recommendations to the Ministry and Cabinet.

The Unit is committed to ensuring that all such programs deliver tangibles outcomes that improve livelihoods and reduce poverty.

NOTE 2: STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (a) Basis of Accounting In accordance with Government accounting policies, the financial statements of the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is prepared on cash basis of accounting.
All payments related to purchases of fixed assets have been expensed.

The financial statements are presented in accordance with the Financial Management Act and the requirements of Section 71 (1) of the Finance Instruction 2010 and Finance (Amendment) Instructions 2016.

The preparation and presentation of a Statement of Assets and Liabilities is not required under the current Government policies, except for that of the Trading and Manufacturing Accounts.
(b) Accounting for Value Added Tax (VAT) All income and expenses are VAT exclusive.

The Ministry on a monthly basis takes out VAT output on total money received for expenditure from Ministry of Economy.

VAT input on the other hand is claimed on payments made to the suppliers and the sub-contractors for expenses incurred.
The VAT payment as per the Statement of Receipts and Expenditures relates to VAT input claimed on payments made to the suppliers and sub- contractors for expenses incurred and VAT payments to FRCS.

Actual amount paid to FRCS during the year represent the difference between VAT Output and VAT Input.
| 73 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Notes To and Forming Part of the Financial Statements (cont’d) For the Financial Period ended 31 July 2018 (c) Comparative Figures The Ministry changed its reporting period from 1 August to 31 July as per Ministry of Economy circular number 04/16 due to a change in the whole government reporting period.
Hence, the 2017-2018 financial reporting period is for 12 months effective from 1 August 2017 to 31 July 2018.

Prior year figures are also for 12 months.

(d) Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognised when actual cash are received by the Ministry.

NOTE 3: SIGNIFICANT VARIATIONS (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) ( j) The State Revenue increased by $4,638 or 67% in 2018 compared to 2017.
The increase was due to increase in Commission which is deducted at source from insurance premium and other credit institutions.

The Miscellaneous Revenue increased by $15,060 or 626% in 2018 compared to 2017 due to clearance of unidentified returns for Accountable Advance and return of allowance for Social Protection Program recipients as a result of closed or invalid bank accounts.

Established Staff cost increased by $1,195,051 or 22% in 2018 compared to 2017.
This was due to Job Evaluation Exercise for Established staff and payment of overtime.

The Government Wage Earners (GWE’s) cost increased by $763,226 or 48% in 2018 compared to 2017.

This is due to Job Evaluation Exercise for GWE and payment of overtime for GWE’s.

Travel & Communication costs increased by $411,402 or 109% in 2018 compared to 2017.

The increase was due to the payment of Communication charges to Vodafone and reimbursement of travel cost.
The Maintenance & Operations costs increased by $230,798 or 31% in 2018 compared to 2017.

The increase was due to increase in maintenance and fuel cost.

The Purchase of Goods & Services cost increased by $1,322,849 or 104% in 2018 compared to 2017.

The increase was due to increase in Commission charges in relation to monthly pay-out of Social Protection Program recipients.
The Operating Grants & Transfers increased by $40,246,129 or 81% in 2018 compared to 2017 due to increase in payment for Social Protection Program recipients.

Significant payments made from Operating Grants & Transfers General Ledger were for Social Pension Scheme of $37,116,301, Poverty Benefit Scheme of $40,102,286, Child Protection Allowance of $7,062,188, Allowance for Person with Disability of $1,290,980 and Women’s Plan of Action of $1,412,333.
Special Expenditure cost increased by $540,103 or 24% in 2018 compared to 2017.

The increase was due to increase in payment for child protection program and increase expenditure for Fiji National Women’s Expo.

The Capital Grants and Transfer costs decrease by $212,636 or 22% in 2018 compared to 2017 due reduction in payments made for Welfare Graduation Program.
74 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Notes To and Forming Part of the Financial Statements (cont’d) For the Financial Period ended 31 July 2018 NOTE 4: DETAILS OF APPROPRIATION CHANGES The Minister for Economy approved the following transfer of funds during the period.
VIREMENT NUMBER V24001 V24002 FROM SEG 06 SEG 05 SEG 06 TO SEG 02 SEG 02 AMOUNT ($) 435,195 50,095 117,521 The Permanent Secretary for Economy approved the following transfer of funds during the period.

VIREMENT NUMBER V24003 FROM SEG 01 SEG 02 TO SEG 01 SEG 02 AMOUNT ($) 1,047,648 597,985 The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry approved the following Virements under delegation from the Minister of Economy.
VIREMENT NUMBER FROM DV2401 SEG 06 SEG 06 SEG 04 SEG 05 SEG 06 SEG 06 SEG 03 SEG 04 SEG 07 SEG 04 DV2402 DV2403 DV2404 DV2405 DV2406 TO SEG 03 SEG 04 SEG 05 SEG 06 SEG 07 SEG 06 SEG 07 SEG 13 SEG 03 SEG 04 SEG 05 SEG 07 SEG 03 SEG 04 SEG 03 SEG 06 SEG 07 SEG 07 AMOUNT ($) 104,914 82,468 908,365 2,558,147 3,425 29,670 98,769 2,019 37,950 61,500 20,275 146,885 245,202 62,420 10,934 23,915 39,805 39,000 | 75 Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Notes To and Forming Part of the Financial Statements (cont’d) For the Financial Period ended 31 July 2018 NOTE 5: OPERATING TRUST ACCOUNT As at 31 July 2018, the Ministry had a credit balance of $217,397 in the Operating Trust Account.
NOTE 6: REVOLVING FUND ACCOUNT At balance date, the Ministry had a balance of $52,898 in the Revolving Fund Account.

The balance was due to Accountable Advance issued to the officers which was not retired.

NOTE 7: DRAWINGS ACCOUNT At balance date, the Ministry had a balance of $1,064,550 in the Drawings Account.

These monies were related to cheques written by the Ministry that were yet to be presented to the bank.
NOTE 8: MAIN TRUST ACCOUNT - HELP FOR HOME TRUST As at 31st July 2018, the Ministry had a credit balance of $190,107 in the Main Trust Account named Help for Home Trust.

Payments from this account during financial year 2017/2018 was to refund Fijians whose houses sustained damage during TC Winston and had repaired their homes from own funds.
Refunds were made as follows and the maximum amount which can be refunded are shown below: ■ Roofing damage (partial of full) or destruction of supporting walls and home is on squatter land or land under a vakavanua arrangement or similar arrangement - $1,500 ■ Partially damaged roof - $1,500 ■ Fully damaged roof - $3,000 ■ Destruction of roof and supporting walls - $7,000 76 | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation headquarters: 5th floor, Civic Tower Victoria Parade, Suva, fiji phone: (679) 3312 199 Website: www.mwcpa.gov.fj b | Annual Report 2017 - 2018 | Ministry of Women, Children & Poverty Alleviation