Transcript
SITIVENI YANUYANUTAWA: Right now we have been going around the country, covering four divisions in Fiji, just to get an understanding and probably give the members of the public on the care and the protection of persons with disabilities living in Fiji. I think that is something that we have probably missed over the years. We are trying to get an aggressive approach of trying to give an understanding on persons with disabilities and their care and protection.
KORO VAKA'UTA: How many complaints does the council receive? How prevalent is the abuse or mistreatment of people with disabilities in society in Fiji?
SY: We don't have any form of solid data to back us up but from anecdotal evidence that we have received in different communities, different divisions, we have come to realise that in some communities there is a higher prevalence of abuse for persons with disabilities in Fiji.
KV: Why do you think there is the need to promote awareness that these people should be treated correctly and properly? Where do you think the gap is?
SY: I think the gap probably is everywhere because persons with disabilities always receive back seat treatment in our different communities but we are starting to put them in the forefront. We had the signing of the UN Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities and the endorsement for ratification of that particular UN document has enabled us to open pathways where we will be able to look at persons with disabilities, care for them and also for them to uphold their rights in the different communities they live is.
KV: What's the key message that you are sending out to the districts as you travel around the country?
SY: A message of fair play. We usually put it across to different communities that it's important that first and foremost they are human. They have emotions. The support and the care should be directed more of in a level playing field. We need to have a level playing field for persons with disabilities and whatever service is provided for them. This is a continuous battle my friend. It won't end in this generation, it will continue on. It is just a matter of changing the mindsets of different communities that we live in and look at a more responsible approach towards persons with disabilities and if they are able to deliver a sense of care and a sense of fair play towards persons with disabilities living in different communities, that will be a big plus for us.