Joint Press Release

FWRM & femLINKpacific Joint Press Release

How low will they go?

29/07/2021

The Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM) and femLINKpacific are deeply disappointed with the current demeaning statements made by top-ranking members of the Fiji government towards Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

These comments are also in bad timing, given that so much humanitarian assistance is being undertaken by NGOs in the absence of equitable state assistance. Unfortunately, some members of the Fiji First government display a basic misunderstanding of the nuances of democracy, the abuse of parliamentary privilege in defaming organisations and individuals in a legally protected environment, the role of NGOs and CSOs, and a lack of basic manners and etiquette.

It is sad to see the Fiji government resorting to labeling NGOs and CSOs, who represent a large constituency of people’s concerns, as “fools”, and shows a lack of understanding that the gateway to political involvement is only running for elections. The Fiji government seemingly fails to realise that a properly functioning democratic state involves all sectors of society in its politics through the fundamental rights of, amongst others, free speech and free assembly. It involves everyone because it affects everyone. This applies especially to NGOs and CSOs, whose explicit purpose is to improve society not only through direct action but through advocating for policies that are beneficial for all - i.e., politics.

Politics is more than running for election, and democracy is more than voting in these elections. They include the fair and equal participation of each and every free citizen in the running of their government, the right for every voice to be heard, and the moral obligation to treat each member and section of society fairly under the rule of law, not the fear of and acquiescence to authority figures.

The Fiji government has repeatedly attacked NGOs and CSOs stating that our political involvement is "very worrying for the nation." What is more worrying is a government which has repeatedly demonstrated its disregard for human rights, democracy, equality, and even basic professionalism, beginning with its foundation in the ashes of a coup. 

And lastly, the Honourable Ms. Selai Adimaitoga's loyal but sycophantic defence of Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is touching but unfortunately misdirected. We object to her petty defamatory statement made in Parliament on 26 July attacking the head of Fiji Women’s Crisis Center (FWCC), Ms. Shamima Ali, suggesting that she should resign because violence against women has increased during the pandemic. The Hon Member of Parliament should know better given her gender. What a disappointment she is to women in Fiji, increasing patriarchy, rather than fighting against it. She has failed to stand up for gender equality. Increased violence against women is a result of the pandemic and isolation, not the FWCC’s work. Ms. Ali has worked tirelessly for decades, with others, on a single, noble task which has been to end violence against all women and girls. 

Ending all forms of violence against women and girls is a key priority for national women’s rights organisations, as well as the Fiji government, who themselves recognize the fundamental root causes of violence. This is not the time to be insensitive and reckless in your parliamentary speeches on a prevalent issue that many Fijian women and girls are experiencing, even more so now in this pandemic.

NGOs and civil society organisations, like civil society itself, are here to stay regardless of whatever childish insults are directed towards us by people in high places.

End 

For more information please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FWRM & FWCC JOINT PRESS RELEASE:

Women Challenge Gender Discriminatory Name Change Laws

30/12/2021

Seven women supported by the Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM) and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), have filed a constitutional redress case challenging the name change laws recently passed by the Government.

The case was called today before Chief Justice Kamal Kumar in the High Court in Suva, who gave time table directions for the filing of affidavits. He has fixed the case for hearing in late February 2022.

The plaintiffs include, Yashmin Nisha Khan, Adi Asilina Davila Toganivalu, Lavinia Rose Bernadette Rounds Ganilau, Shiromani Priscilla Singh, Elizabeth Catherine Reade Fong, Leba Seni Nabou and Salote Raikolo Qalo. They are represented by former Supervisor of Elections, Jon Apted of Suva law firm, Munro Leys.

The women who are all from different ethnic groups and political affiliations, are claiming that the name change laws are discriminatory against married women on the grounds of sex, gender and marital status and breach their constitutional rights to equality and to vote. They are claiming that the new laws also violate their constitutional rights to privacy, as well as to their cultural and social identity.

The defendants are the Attorney-General and the current Supervisor of Elections, who are represented by Devanesh Sharma of R. Patel.

The laws which are under challenge make changes to the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act  and the Interpretation Act 1967. They require Fijians to use only the name on their birth certificate for voting and other official purposes including for official identification documents. Under the new laws, Fijians who wish to use their married or adopted names for these purposes must formally change their names on their birth certificates in order to do so. The women believe that the new laws have a disproportionate, adverse impact upon married women compared to other groups.

FWRM, FWCC and other women’s non-governmental organisations have received complaints from hundreds of women about the new laws prompting the organisation to seek legal advice on their constitutionality. The two organisations have responded to the concerns of women who have approached them and provided support to the plaintiffs.

The case is non-partisan and crosses all political party lines with the two organisations coming together to protect the rights of at least one hundred thousand women of all ethnicities who are affected.

FWRM and FWCC consider that the rights to equality, voting and​ identity are fundamental and that the constitutionality of the new laws must be tested in the Courts.

The two organisations will also be seeking contributions from the community to help fund this case.

Although on the face, the new laws appear gender neutral, they disproportionately affect some 100,000 women, and add to women’s financial and time burdens by requiring them to change their names in so many legal documents.

Queries regarding the case may be addressed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 FWRM wishes you peace, happiness and good health for 2022.

For any other queries relating to this Press Release please email the FWRM Communications Officer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 2136547

Prevalence and Impact of Sexual Harassment on Female Journalists:

A Fiji Case Study

The University of the South Pacific Journalism Programme &

the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement

PRESS RELEASE

3/05/2022

The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement in partnership with the University of the South Pacific Journalism Programme, launched a research report on the, “Prevalence and Impact of Sexual Harassment on Female Journalists: A Fiji Case Study”, in Suva today. The launch event coincides with the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day.

This research is a follow-up to two groundbreaking FWRM studies in 2002 and 2016 into the incidence and nature of sexual harassment of women in the workplace in Fiji’s four major economic hubs in the country — Suva, Nadi, Lautoka and Labasa.

As it stands, many female journalists across the world continue to experience inequalities and harassment in the workplace, often at times with little to no action taken against the perpetrators. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), violence and harassment against women in the world of work impede women’s empowerment, and their active engagement and participation in the labour force.

According to the project manager and research lead, Associate Professor in Journalism Shailendra Singh, the study aimed to identify the problem, understand it, and make recommendations to address it.

"Females hold up half the sky in journalism in Fiji and the Pacific in that they constitute up to 50 per cent of the journalist workforce. Because we rely on them for news on which we make important decisions, and because we place such high expectations on them, we should be concerned about their wellbeing as well. Female journalists’ safety is a national concern, morally and for practical reasons because it impacts directly on their mental and physical health, and subsequently, on the quality of journalism," said Dr. Singh, the 2022 Australian National University Pacific Research Fellow.

The findings of this research report highlight the high prevalence and impact of sexual harassment in the Fiji news media sector, where up to half the journalist corps are women, many of whom are leading reporters and editors in the national scene. The overall aim of this research is to measure the prevalence rate of sexual harassment experienced by female journalists in Fiji, and provide holistic recommendations to address this issue.

The report documents the lived experiences of female journalists, majority of whom work in print, with the others choosing online and/or broadcasting. According to the women, the level of harassment at both the workplace and in the reporting field is high, with up to two-thirds reporting incidents. The harassment is predominantly verbal, but also very often gestural. Physical harassment is fairly common as well. Additionally, the women indicated that the types of sexual harassment is centered on women’s dress code, appearance, and as well as crude, sexual jokes.

“This issue of sexual harassment in the workplace is not a women’s rights issue only. It is on all of us to ensure that women are able to participate in the world of work, free from violence, harassment and any form of discrimination. We must do more to support women are speaking out, and even more so when gender based violence against women is prevalent is in this country.” said FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh.

Additionally, the report indicates the lack of awareness about sexual harassment and its impact on the victims. The lack of clarity about reporting mechanisms and redress is also a significant barrier and explains why some women choose not to report incidents. As this report argues, taking proactive steps by creating awareness is an important first step towards reducing the risks. 

“Fiji needs stronger commitment from employers to adopt and implement sexual harassment policies in their workplaces that are consistent with the Employment Relations Act. Police and justice sectors must take action.” said Ms. Nalini Singh.

The other researchers include Professor in Journalism at the University of Vienna, Folker Hanusch, USP Journalism Tutor Geradline Panapasa and Data Science lecturer Dr Karuna Reddy.

FWRM thanks the support and partnership of the USP Journalism Programme and the School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education. We are hopeful that the findings of this research as well as existing work done will inform key action and approaches to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace for women in the world of work.

The publication is supported by the We Rise Coalition through the Australian Government.

ENDS

For more information please contact USP School of Journalism Programme Researcher Geraldine Panapasa on email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To download the research, visit: http://www.fwrm.org.fj/publications/research-analysis

                  JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: FWRM and FWLA host seminar for legal practitioners on women’s access to justice

                                                                                                        11/02/2021

The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) in partnership with the Fiji Women’s Lawyers Association (FWLA) hosted a seminar on Gender Stereotypes in Sexual Violence Cases in Fiji for legal practitioners in Suva yesterday.

The seminar offers Continuing Legal Education (CLE) for legal practitioners and is part of a series of discussions addressing Fijian women’s access to justice supported by the Australian Government through the We Rise Coalition.

“We’re grateful to be able to collaborate with FWLA and strengthen the role of legal practitioners to improve Fijian women’s access to justice. Legal practitioners are the key actors when women try to address their issues of violence and they need to be aware of the barriers so that they do not further reinforce them,” said FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh.

“Gender stereotypes are a barrier to access to justice for all parties to the legal system, whether as a complainant, perpetrator or lawyers defending or prosecuting such cases. These are important issues to discuss because it affects us as a country and we as lawyers, must be able to educate ourselves to help address it. The monthly DPP statistics on violence against women and girls continue to worsen,” said FWLA President Mele Rakai.

The keynote speaker at the event was His Lordship Mr. Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena. The panel included FWRM representative and lawyer Artika Singh, ICAAD representative Erin Thomas, senior lawyers Filimoni Vosorogo, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution’s Ms Kimberly Semisi, Fiji Law Society Council member, Ms Seruwaia Nayacalevu and Legal Aid Commission lawyer, Sokoveti Daunivesi. The seminar brought together over 120 legal practitioners from across Fiji including participants that attended through the webinar platform.

“Often, we only hear about the perpetrators, we don’t hear about the prosecutors and the challenges they face in dealing with survivors of sexual offences, be it sexual assault or rape. Survivors ranges in different ages, gender, sexual orientation and backgrounds. As lawyers we need to have a balanced view of the prosecution, the rights of defendants to a fair trial and ensuring that cases are properly tried with according to the relevant laws,” said Ms. Rakai.

Common stereotypes are tied to gender roles, such as men not being able to control themselves, or resist temptation and women being judged according to their behaviour or dress. Victim-blaming is rampant and women are often expected to react a prescribed way, such as resisting violence physically. Gender stereotypes in sexual violence cases are extremely harmful to women and undermine women's rights to access justice.

“There has been progress over the years and legislative reform to improve women’s access to justice. While the law continues to be strengthened, attitudes of legal practitioners are also important to ensure there is no discrimination. There should be no impunity for sexual abusers and moral policing of women in the law,” said Ms. Singh.

FWRM and FWLA hope to strengthen their partnership and promote improve awareness of key gender issues, such as gender-based violence and Fijian women’s access to justice.

END

For more information please contact FWRM Communications Officer Maryann Lockington at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    16 Days of Activism Campaign Against GBV –

Women’s Rights Groups Claim Back the Space!

A joint statement by Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) and femLINKpacific

24/11/2021

On the eve of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (GBV), three women’s organisations - Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement and femLINKpacific come together to share the origins of the feminist incepted and led campaign in recognition of the work of the women’s movement towards the elimination of GBV.

30 years ago in 1991, the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, was incepted by 23 women who met for the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute (WGLI) at the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) in New Jersey, USA. The women represented different women's groups and civil society organisations around the world and met to share women’s lived realities and experiences including the soaring global statistics on GBV. The campaign was then launched as a strategy to increase awareness of gender-based violence as a violation of women’s human rights.

These women who had set the scene for the now successful global 16 days campaign against GBV also included our very own women’s rights activist and defender; FWCC Coordinator, Shamima Ali.

FWCC, FWRM and femLINKpacific remind us all of the work that the global women’s movement has committed on the 30^th year of the campaign and emphasise the urgency of addressing the root causes of this massive human rights issue, further exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and tropical disasters.

“As the women’s movement and other human rights groups begin the campaign tomorrow (25^th November) on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we need to be aware of the origins of the campaign and why it began, claiming back the space and the spotlight on the different ways violence is faced by women and girls. We must ensure the space for women to share their experiences and prioritise their needs. The FWCC research shows that 64% of women experience violence in their lifetime. Another FWRM research states that it takes 868 days for a woman to report her issues of violence to the police. femLINKpacific's rural women's network continuously share their experiences on these issues as well. Why? What can we do to address this?” the women’s group stated.

FWCC, FWRM and femLINKpacific encourage everyone to participate in the 16 days campaign by sharing information, calling out toxic masculinity, promoting gender equality and encouraging women’s participation in all spaces where their voices are heard and issues addressed. The group also demands accountability to international conventions that address the violation of women’s rights and gender inequalities.

The 16 days of activism against GBV begins from the 25^th of November and culminates on the 10^th of December – Human Rights Day. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, marking the commemoration of the Montreal Massacre.

This year, the global theme as set by CWGL for the campaign focuses on Domestic Violence in the World of Work and the Ratification of Violence and Harassment Convention 2019. 

Ends

For media queries please contactThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (FWCC) / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (FWRM) / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (femLINKpacific)

Joint Press Release

FWRM and The University of Fiji to host Young Women’s Leadership training

 3/09/2021

The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) in partnership with the University of Fiji will be hosting a transformative feminist leadership training workshop for 15 young women from the University in September.

The two-day event, organised under the Young Feminist Rise Project is an opportunity  for the young women leaders to learn and exchange information about the significance of leadership, empowerment of young women and how to work through the existing challenges they face. The programme will be undertaken virtually utilising innovative technologies and methods for the participants.

The Young Feminist Rise Project is supported by the Australian Government through the Fiji Women’s Fund.

FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh said young women and girls are often disproportionately affected during and post-disasters when existing gender inequalities are exacerbated and the safety and security of girls and young women are threatened.

“With multiple burdens young women and girls face due to gender and age discrimination, it is imperative to provide the platforms to hear their unique perspectives and address the challenges they face, especially against patriarchal ideologies and the current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited with this collaboration with the University of Fiji and the creation of this platform for these young women participants,”  FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh said.

She said FWRM continues to offer intergenerational spaces that ensure a cycle of building agency and providing support in terms of leadership training and skills from a feminist and human rights based perspective.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Professor Shaista Shameem said that the opportunity for a partnership with the highly respected non-governmental organisation, FWRM, was not to be missed as far as the University was concerned.

“Our young female students have suffered the ill-effects of Covid-19 over the past 18 months which has made them vulnerable to all sorts of issues, both within and outside of education”, she said.

The FWRM leadership programme will strengthen them and provide them with the resolve to face their uncertain future with courage and determination, Professor Shameem said.

The programme will be held online on the first week of September, 2021.

Ends

For more information please contact FWRM Communications on 8677330 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

24/10/2023

As Fiji prepares to hold its first local government elections after more than 15 years, we urgently call on the government to enforce provisions for temporary special measures for women in political party representation and ensure that reserved seats are secured for women in all town/city councils and its committees. Nationally, it is unacceptable that after three national elections under new electoral laws, there has been a drastic decline in women's representation from contesting national elections to being elected to Parliament. It is clear from our history that cultural, social, economic and political factors have often stood in the way of women’s political empowerment.

We remind the Fiji government of its commitments to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), ratified in 1995. Article 4 recognizes that temporary special measures may need to be implemented in the short-term to advance women’s equality. The term “temporary special measures” is used to describe affirmative action policies and strategies to promote equality and empower women.  

Under CEDAW, Fiji must make every effort to ensure the meaningful participation of women in consultation, provision of resourcing and support for women candidates.  Furthermore, CEDAW General recommendation No. 25 states that adopting TSM shall not be considered discrimination by any State Party as it is aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women.  

We urgently call for the Office of the Solicitor General to include CEDAW General recommendation No. 25, and we reiterate that placing TSMs for women is not discriminatory nor a breach of the Fiji Constitution. In fact, it is a direct and affirmative response to effectively promote women’s political participation. Globally, out of the top 28 countries that have more than 30% women in their national parliament, 24 of them have used some form of TSM.  

One key issue to note however, is that temporary special measures are indeed supposed to be “temporary”. The idea is that women will receive initial support to enter political life, but once women have gained sufficient experience, recognition and opportunity to engage on an equal footing with men, this temporary support will be removed. 

If we are to move towards a society where half the population is reflected in all leadership spaces and opportunities, we must be gender responsive in the approaches we take to achieve gender equality. It is the duty of the government to ensure that all Fijians are represented fairly, without prejudice and discrimination. It must ensure that half the population is adequately represented on all councils.  

We strongly urge the Fiji government to conduct capacity building workshops on CEDAW for all members of parliament to understand the definition of discrimination against women, and how it applies to us. In fact, all political parties will benefit from this as well given that there are no women in their executive leadership positions. 

For any media queries, please contact FWRM Communications Officer Serelisoni Moceica on 8677 330 or

(Joint statement by Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM), Diverse Voices for Action (DIVA) for Equality, Citizen’s Constitutional Forum (CCF), Social Education and Empowerment Programme (SEEP) and Strumphet Alliance Network)

Women's Rights Groups call out the Fiji Corrections Services 

16/07/2020

Women's human rights groups in Fiji are deeply disturbed and disappointed by recent comments from the Fiji Corrections Services on double standards for sportspeople convicted of rape.

The Fiji Corrections Services defended its position to allow athletes convicted of rape to participate in their respective sports despite them barely serving 1 year of their sentencing. According to the FCS spokesperson, the athletes have undergone rehabilitation and once they are considered, ‘low risk,’ are allowed to train and play sports in public.

femLINKpacific and the Fiji Women's Rights Movement are concerned about the implications of these comments and call for investigations into FCS and its remand and rehabilitation processes.

“It’s appalling that rapists and sexual offenders are considered ‘low risk’ by FCS. Sexual violence is a grave and heinous violation of human rights and this has been recognised by the Courts and justice system as well as the Fijian government,” said FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh.

"This is an insult to victims and survivors of sexual violence and everyone who has been pushing to end violence against women. There have been efforts at the national level by government and across all sectors of society to eliminate sexual violence and yet the body tasked with the rehabilitation of criminals is reinforcing rape culture," she said.

FCS defended its position in response to the public outcry around the release of convicted rapist Amenoni Nasilasila to play rugby only 9 months after his sentencing. The 28-year-old was sentenced to eight years imprisonment with a non-parole period of six years by the High Court in Suva. This is the second time he was seen out training. He received media attention in October last year for training with a rugby team only five days after he was sentenced.

It is understood that he is not the first and that according to FCS, “nor will he be the last”; there are currently other inmates convicted for serious offences who have been picked to play rugby and other sports outside prison. FCS claimed that Nasilasila has been rehabilitated despite having only served less than 10 per cent of his full sentence.

“No one is above the law. There is a clear double standard for sports celebrities portrayed by FCS which is unacceptable and must be called out," said femLINKpacific Susan Grey.

The position that FCS has taken on convicted sports people highlights another concern with possible conflict of interest, as the Commissioner of Corrections, Francis Kean is also the Fiji Rugby Union Board Chair and affiliated with Namosi Rugby Union under which Nasilasila is expected to play.

"In a country where rape and sexual violence statistics have hit crisis level, what kind of message is FCS sending to the public? There is a lack of assurance that perpetrators of sexual violence are being held accountable.”

The FCS comments undermine its pivotal role in women’s access to justice and threaten the progress of attitudinal change towards gender equality and ending rape culture. The women’s rights groups reiterate that there must be a proper investigation on the existing rehabilitation policies at FCS and reform towards a human rights-based approach that ensures equal treatment for all.

ENDS

 For media queries please contact:

FWRM Communications Officer Maryann Lockington at 8677330 orThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS CONDEMN MISOGYNISTIC SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS AGAINST WOMEN MPS

23/10/2020

Women’s human rights groups are disgusted and appalled at the misogynistic attacks made by Kishore Kumar on social media against female members of Parliament and strongly condemn this act of violence and cyber-bullying.

The social media commentator on his Facebook page, Kishore Kumar Publications, has made several public videos vilifying and defaming female members of parliament. The public posts contain abusive and sexually derogatory remarks against certain women members of parliament.

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, femLINKpacific and the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement call for urgent action to condemn all forms of violence and discrimination against women and address the disturbing series of attacks from Mr. Kumar.

FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali said this is often how men discourage, deter and malign younger women and women in all their diversities from political participation and national discussions at all levels.

“Such comments on an open public platform are not only detrimental for women but pose great risks to their safety and national participation. This is a great example of cyberbullying, harassment and hate speech.”

“This repeated and targeted acts of psychological violence including character attacks, cyberbullying and harassment, on Honourable Lenora Qereqeretabua and other female members of Parliament, must also be condemned by all parties and the State, with further action to be taken,” said femLINKpacific Executive Director, Susan Naisara Grey.

“We condemn the violence, which includes all forms of aggression, coercion and intimidation against women as political actors, which is one of the most serious hurdles to women’s full and equal political participation,” said Ms. Grey.

“There must be no impunity for violence against women, including within the cyber and virtual space. It is unacceptable that Mr. Kumar is allowed to continue making targeted sexist attacks that are discriminatory, abusive and defamatory against women and there have been no repercussions for his action,” said FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh.

“Violence against women is a non-partisan issue and whichever woman he targets, whether a government MP or a member of the opposition, it must be condemned and there must be justice.”

It is equally disturbing to note that Mr. Kumar is a high school teacher and that he is allowed into classrooms despite his unethical and misogynistic behaviour. There must be better standards set by the Ministry of Education for educators as they play such a significant role for young people and children.

The women’s human rights groups call for investigations from the relevant authorities, including the Fiji Police Force, the Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission and the Online Safety Commission.

“The Online Safety Commission should not sit silently when these crimes continue to happen almost on a daily basis,” said Ms. Ali.

“Raising awareness about cyberbullying is one thing, but the enforcement of the law is equally important. There must be consequences for those who constantly contribute to unsafe cyberspace. The silence is deafening from women MPs from both sides of the House. This is when solidarity is important,” she said.

The Fiji Government and the Fiji Police Commissioner have made strong statements about ending violence against women in the past. This is an opportunity to strengthen these statements and send a message to the public that this cannot be condoned. Fiji has also recently ratified the ILO Convention to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work. It is unacceptable that women MPs are facing sexually and mentally abusive attacks targeted against them because of their roles.

Women and girls have faced an enormous amount of violence on social media and online spaces. Mr. Kumar has been actively sharing abusive content for years and there seems to be no justice for his victims. Abusers must be held accountable and should not be allowed to hide behind virtual spaces with impunity. We must condemn and eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls.


END

For media queries please contact:

• FWCC Communications Officer Nasik Swami at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +679 9984 590

• FWRM Communications Officer Maryann Lockington at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +6798683182

• femLINKpacific Susan Grey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +679 8366542