By Report 3,VILIAME TAWANAKORO

Copyright islandsbusiness

The Pacific is uniting voices for social change at the Pacific Social Work Symposium in Fiji, where social work professionals, advocates, and community leaders come together to discuss social justice and well-being.

Hosted at the University of the South Pacific, the event also marked the revival of the Fiji Association of Social Work (AFSW), aiming to strengthen professional support and training for social workers navigating pressing issues in Fiji and the region.

Opening the event, Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, said social workers are at the frontlines of many challenging situations.

“They are dealing with family break downs, abuse of children, domestic violence, abuse of elders, drug and substance abuse, teenage pregnancies, HIV and STI infections and the list goes on.

“Some of these are emerging issues, and some have quickly blown out of proportion,” she said.

“Are our social workers equipped to deal with these challenges safely? Do they have the skills? Do they have emotional and mental support as they manage cases are key questions we have to look at closely.”

Kiran said,” Our child protection officers will tell you that child neglect cases are through the roof.”

“As a nation, we have not paid attention to the fact that the issue of family breakdowns due to shifting population and competing priorities has become a pressing concern.

“Our case workers have to see abuse and violence against children, elders, women, people living with disabilities, technology-facilitated violence, violence aggravated by drugs, and shrinking social nets.

“There is a constant need for upskilling, relooking at protocols for case management, ethical considerations and of course a support network,” she said.

She added,” We have to pay attention to trauma, healing, and creating healthy spaces if we are to be of assistance to our community. You cannot pour from an empty cup.”

“This Symposium creates a great platform for these deep discussions that can help build a platform for Fiji Social Workers and unite Pacific voices in social work.

“It is an opportunity to build a network of learning, solidarity, and advocacy, so that when one nation faces a challenge, it is not alone but surrounded by the collective strength of the Pacific family,” she said.

AFSW President, Malakai Waqa-Kaitani, acknowledges the association’s ups and downs, noting that inconsistency has hindered growth and visibility.

“The revival of the association is seen as a renewed commitment to social work, reflecting lessons learned from past challenges.”

“We have seen a resurgence, a renewed commitment to restoring the association’s identity, purpose and voice, from revising our Constitution and ethics to representing Fiji at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa, we are once again stepping into the global arena with pride,” he said.

Kaitani added that this moment calls for more than just a reflection.

“It calls for transformation. We must move beyond circles of revival and rebranding.

“We must establish AFSW as a stable, professional and essential institution, one that not only supports its members, but also advocates for social justice, care and community, well-being across our islands,” he said.

The association was first founded in 1997 by the late Mr Sikivou, a visionary and former Director of Social Welfare.

His dream was to create a professional body that would uplift the standards of social work in Fiji through training, mentorship and a commitment to service.

Over the years, the association has evolved, rebranded and restructured multiple times, from the Fiji Association of Social Workers to the Fiji Association of Social and Community workers and now the Association of Fiji Social Work.