ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS
Hon.Alipate Nagata
Address at the Closing of the Virtual Empowerment training on
Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights,
Ministry of Youth and Sports Office, Suva
Friday 17th September, 2021, 1:00PM

• Master of Ceremonies;
• Trainers;
• My Ministry Staff;
• Youth Participants;
• Ladies and Gentlemen;

Bula Vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all, It’s always a pleasure to do the honours of marking yet another milestone achievement of our youths as they have completed the five-day empowerment training today. At the outset, I must thank the trainers and our staff serving the Eastern Division for this training which will benefit many of our youth.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is pleasing to note the equal participation and contribution made by all the 1 5 youth participants here with us. All young people have the right to
health services and correct information. As a young person you should be informed of choices available that will help you make the right decisions about your life. As part of family planning an individual should be spiritually, physically, financially, socially and mentally ready before starting a family. You will need to know ways of protecting yourself and reducing the risk of teenage or unwanted pregnancy. The programme is in line with the Youth Capacity Building Program which the Ministry utilises to empower, capacitate and enhance 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, the Fijian Government is committed in providing workshops and short courses to individuals. We, at the Ministry of youth and Sports, prioritize Youth Health and Wellbeing. To support the on-going development of young people,
this empowerment training focused on empowering the youth participants with information to help them make healthy lifestyle choices and skills to be able to actively contribute to their communities and society. This training and the knowledge it brings enables young people to make more informed decisions regarding their own sexual health and rights.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to note that the Ministry of Youth and Sports has conducted a total of 20 trainings on SRHR in the last financial year. From these trainings, a total of 876 youth has benefitted and have been empowered as a result. The Ministry, through our non-formal education program, has provided many youths and 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 providing 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 short 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 focus and use what you have learnt this week to your
advantage. Set your priorities and always strive for the best. I also encourage our youth to make the right decision and you may also lean back on the programmes and
opportunities this Ministry provides. With those words, I congratulate you all and hope that the skills learnt during the training assist you in your future endeavours.

-ENDS