THE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS
HONOURABLE PARVEEN KUMAR BALA
Saturday 13th February, 2021, 11:00AM
Matawalu Village Hall- Lautoka
• Master of Ceremonies
• The Vanua Yavusa Bukuya & Village Elders
• My Ministry Staff
• Youth Participants
• Ladies and Gentlemen
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all!
In the midst of the rainy weather this week I appreciate the warm welcome of the Matawalu community. It’s always a pleasure to celebrate another milestone achievement of our youths as they have completed the three-day (SRHR) Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights training in December. Unfortunately, due to unfavourable weather conditions we have had to postpone our Certificate Presentation Ceremony and I must acknowledge your presence here and for braving the weather today- Thank you!
Furthermore, I must thank the trainers from Reproductive Family Health Association of Fiji (RFHAF) and our Western Office staff for this training which will benefit many of our youths. To the parents and community members here today, I thank you for supporting our young people and I look forward to your continued support for them in the future.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is pleasing to note the equal participation and contribution was made by all the 57 youth participants from five youth clubs that completed the Empowerment Training organised by my Ministry. I have heard that you all participated in the discussion during this training, which is a good thing because it shows you are eager to learn. For young people, their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is an essential part of their lives.
The SRHR topics are usually a taboo subject in our communities but in this day and age we have to empower our youths to face its related challenges and this training and the knowledge it brings, enables young people to make more informed decisions regarding their own sexual health and rights.
Through this training we also help to reduce misinformation and provide correct information, to clarify values and reinforce positive attitudes, and to strengthen decision-making and communication skills.
The programme is in line with the Youth Capacity Building Program which the Ministry utilises to empower and improve youth’s knowledge on socio – economic developments. It also provides various technical skills and training offered as part of the youth development program.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Government is committed in providing workshops and short courses to individuals. Youth Health and Wellbeing is Module 2 of the Ministry’s Empowerment Training modules and this training focused on empowering the youth participants with information to help them make healthy lifestyle choices and skills to be able to navigate issues around their health and well- being.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to note that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has conducted a total of thirteen trainings on SRHR in this financial year .From these thirteen trainings, a total of 469 youths have benefitted and have been empowered as a result.
The Ministry, through our non-formal education program, has provided many youths with an opportunity to be employed and sustain their livelihoods over many years. This non-formal education programme includes carpentry training, empowerment skills training, agricultural training and others.
Through these programs where we provide accredited training, we seek to maximize the potential of our youths and provide them with an avenue to achieve their goals in life.
This Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is determined to strengthen the youth sector in Fiji. This is not limited to providing non–formal education but includes the areas of sports and development of sporting facilities too. Our vision is to build values that lead to success.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope that these courses will enable you to achieve your goals and aspirations because they are our national goals and aspirations. Please encourage other youths to take up courses to have a purpose driven life.
Your Government is committed to an inclusive policy for all Fijians regardless of your ethnicity, your social background, your status in the
community, your culture or your religious beliefs.
I encourage you all to remain focused and use what you have learnt during the training to your advantage. Set your priorities and always strive for the best.
I also urge our youths to learn new skills and continue to develop your potential because that is what is required in these changing times.
With those words, I congratulate you all and hope that the skills learnt during the training will assist you in your future endeavors.
Vinaka vakalevu!