New initiative to define child deprivation in the Fijian context

A new approach to identify and address the needs of children was introduced to the policymakers in Fiji through an inception workshop yesterday (Monday 19.02.24).

The National Multi-Dimensional Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (N-MODA) is a new initiative from UNICEF Pacific and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection to assist in identifying and quantifying multidimensional child poverty.

N-MODA is a flexible methodology that will bring a new perspective to policymakers in understanding child poverty in Fiji with respect to the cultural and social context of the country. It will provide evidence to inform government policies and programmes including critical social services affecting children and their families, particularly those most vulnerable.

“Understanding the nature of child poverty and child deprivation is critical to address the needs of children, this in turn will assist to develop suitable programmes and policies,” said Hon. Tabuya, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection. “We are grateful to UNICEF for this partnership at such an important time.”

The inception workshop saw government and non-government partners gather for a day to define multidimensional child poverty for Fiji by discussing and identifying the dimensions, indicators, thresholds, and age groups that are most relevant to the country context.

The analysis that will follow at the workshop will use data from the Fiji Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) which was carried out by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics with support from UNICEF in 2021.

N-MODA will enable policy makers to determine and address child deprivations and identify those suffering multiple and overlapping deprivations, as a basis to develop, adjust, or streamline policies and programmes.

“Over the past few weeks, we have noted several concerns related to children published in the media, and addressing them requires a deep understanding of the cultural and social context.” commented UNICEF Pacific Representative Jonathan Veitch. “N-MODA gives all stakeholders an opportunity to take into account the country context in defining and measuring multidimensional child poverty for Fiji so that the evidence informs policies and programmes.”

The N-MODA initiative is a collaboration between UNICEF and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection. The final research findings based on the methodology defined at the workshop are expected to be launched later this year.

Notes to Editors

MODA is a flexible methodology and adapts to different input factors. The National Multi-Dimensional Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (N-MODA) is a specific application of the MODA methodology, which aims at fitting the national context and using recent and high-quality national survey data such as Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), with customized choices of age groups, dimensions and thresholds.

About the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection:

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection is the government ministry that administers services and programs that are aligned to the care and protection of children, provision of income support to families to address poverty as well as provide policy intervention for older persons, persons living with disabilities and to address gender equality and empowerment of women.

For more information, please contact:

Kelera Rokoduru, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, Tel: +679 845 8439, kelera.rokoduru@mwcsp.gov.fj

Avneel Chand UNICEF Pacific, Tel: +679 722 0806, aachand@unicef.org