Bebbo Pacific: Bringing free parenting support designed for families in Fiji

Suva, Fiji, 25 June 2026 – Families across Fiji will benefit from a new parenting initiative that provides simple, practical guidance to help parents and caregivers support their children’s development from pregnancy through to age six.

Developed with and for Fiji, Bebbo Pacific* is the first parenting app tailored to Fiji’s context and one of the first to be made completely free of charge to families across the country, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to trusted parenting support.

”The development of a localized parenting App demonstrates that we can and must work together, to protect our children,” said Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Sashi Kiran. “Violence against children is preventable. Neglect is preventable. Harm is preventable. And prevention begins with knowledge, awareness, and support for parents and caregivers.”

In Fiji, children aged 0 to 4 make up around nine per cent of the population, with thousands of families navigating the challenges of raising young children each year.

While important progress has been made, including the adoption of the National Early Childhood Development Policy in 2024, access to parenting support remains uneven across communities. Around 28.2 per cent of children in Fiji still experience multidimensional poverty, highlighting the need for stronger and more consistent support for families.

The new initiative aims to help close this gap by making reliable, practical information more accessible to parents and caregivers, including those in rural and remote areas.

“New Zealand is pleased to support early childhood development through initiatives like Bebbo Pacific, which provides parents and caregivers with information to give children the best start in life,” said New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji, H.E. Greg Andrews. “We are proud to partner with the Government of Fiji and UNICEF to ensure families can access trusted information that strengthens child wellbeing, resilience, and opportunities, no matter where they live.

Bebbo Pacific is designed to complement the strong parenting traditions already present in Fiji, where families and communities play a central role in raising children. Rather than replacing existing knowledge, it provides additional support by combining evidence-based guidance with the care and practices already found in Fijian homes.

Through the platform, parents and caregivers can access guidance on child development, health, nutrition, safety and early learning. It also includes features such as growth tracking and reminders for healthcare visits. It can be used offline once downloaded, ensuring more families can benefit regardless of connectivity.

“While parents are doing their very best in the growth and development of their child, they do not always have access to simple, trusted advice when they need it most – especially in busy households, remote communities, or during difficult times including emergencies,” said UNICEF Pacific’s Representative, Hamish Young. “Bebbo Pacific is here to support families in those moments. We acknowledge the leadership of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, and the Government of New Zealand for their generous support and commitment to children in Fiji.”

The initiative supports Fiji’s broader efforts to improve early childhood development outcomes and aligns with national and regional commitments, including the country’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy and the Pasifika Call to Action.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection has led the initiative in close collaboration with other ministries and the National ECD Advisory Committee, with UNICEF providing technical support and the Government of New Zealand contributing financially.

Bebbo Pacific is designed with user privacy in mind. The platform does not collect identifiable personal data about parents or children, and any information entered is stored on the user’s device.

The launch marks an important step in expanding support for families and reinforces a shared commitment to ensuring that all children in Fiji have the opportunity to thrive from the earliest years.

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Note to Editors

*App links:

Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.unicef.pc.bebbopacific

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bebbo-pacific-parenting-app/id6754923240