My first Magazine UNDP REACH Impact Stories v13 web_FNL | Page 14

Upholding People’s
Constitutional Right
to Access Services
December 2016
Taveuni, Fiji – ‘Stand Up For Someone’s Rights Today’
– Communities in Taveuni Island commemorated the
International Human Rights Day (December 10) and
exercised their right to access to social, economic
and legal services provided by the Government as
enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji. A
team of officers from the Ministry of Women, Children
and Poverty Alleviation, the Legal Aid Commission
and the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) brought to the communities awareness raising
sessions and delivered the government services at
their doorsteps.
A number of villages on Taveuni Island are located so far
from island’s town centre that accessing public services
can be such a strain. Their capacity is already stretched
as they recover from the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone
Winston that hit Fiji almost a year ago, while other
settlements located further from shore are enduring
dry weather.
A school master from Waimaqela settlement, Krishna
Reddy, welcomed the team of the officers at his
community.
“It is hard for people in this settlement to travel to
town and apply for the government services. The bus
trip takes an entire day in order to catch the return bus
home. Bus fare would cost a lot for them and more if
they have to go a few times until they complete their
applications.”
“It is very important for us to be able to access the
awareness raising activities like today and services
close to our community. I encourage women in the
community to raise their awareness,” Krishna said.
Initiated through the Rights, Empowerment and
Cohesion (REACH) for Rural and Urban Fijians Project,
also called the REACH Project, a mobile approach is
undertaken to assist people who are in need of public
services but find it difficult to access them in towns.
Former Turaga ni Koro (village leader) of Lavena village,
Pelasio Manasewa, appreciated the assistance provided
by the mobile service at his village. He was able to
obtain a copy of his birth certificate, which he lost
when Tropical Cyclone Winston hit his home; he used
the opportunity to also apply for Bus Fare Assistance.
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It is very important for
us to be able to access
the awareness raising
activities like today and
services close to our
community.
Krishna Reddy,
Waimaqela settlement
“I am glad that my photos were taken by the officer
during his team visit today which saved me from going
to town a few times to apply for the service,” said Mr
Manasea.
Project Officer for Child Protection at the Department
of Social Welfare for the Northern Division, Vetaia
Vuinakelo said, “Accessing the services is people’s right
recognized in our Constitution and if people have
difficulty to do so, we the government officers should
be able to come to them. The REACH mobile service
delivery approach is most appropriated in Fiji.”
“I talked to the people in the communities we visited
on the importance of paying attention to their children
particularly in the festive season of the year. I also talked
to the children about the Child Helpline #1325 through
which anyone, including children, can seek advice,” he
added.
The project aims to promote peace building, social
cohesion and inclusiveness through awareness of
rights, access to services, provision of legal advice and
institutional capacity building in Fiji.
UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Country Director and Head of
Regional Policy and Programme, Bakhodir Burkhanov
said, “The REACH Project is designed to do precisely
that – to support the Government of Fiji to reach out to
all Fijians to deliver on social, economic and legal rights
as enshrined in the Constitution.”
IMPACT STORIES Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion (REACH) for Rural and Urban Fijians Project