Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) co-ordinator Shamima Ali has called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to outline the reasons why Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Lynda Tabuya is no longer Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
In a statement, she said Government should explain because Ms Tabuya had achieved much more than many men in Parliament.
Ms Ali said Mr Rabuka should be reminded that although he was the captain of the ship (Fiji), he did not own the ship.
“We want the Prime Minister to outline the reasons why Ms Tabuya was removed and we remind him that though he is the captain of the ship (Fiji) he does not own the ship,” she said.
“The people own the ship and the crew and captain were voted in by the people so they are accountable to us and we demand an answer.
“And lest the Government forget, the women were the loudest and the most courageous in demanding democracy, human rights for all and the rule of law throughout our recent history so give women the respect. That is ours by right. And stop trying to erase us.”
Ms Ali said the centre was appalled at Ms Tabuya’s removal from this position.
“Ms Tabuya is also the Deputy Party Leader of the People’s Alliance receiving the second highest number of votes after Mr Rabuka,” she said.
“She was the woman candidate with the highest votes in the 2018 and 2022 elections and in the last election she was fourth in the number of votes overall.
“She was also Opposition Whip in the last Parliament until she resigned as a SODELPA MP to join the People’s Alliance party and she holds a Bachelor of Law and Master of Law, achieving much more than many men in Parliament have achieved.”
Ms Ali described Ms Tabuya as an all-rounder-from beauty contests to being a fashionist with a huge following among the youth, academically qualified and some even may call her a non-conformist which may be her downfall.
“Society demands that women conform to the patriarchal norms and when they don’t, there are powers that be that ensure they are erased.
“We have advanced too far in our quest for our rightful place everywhere to be erased.”
Mr Rabuka had announced a reshuffling of ministerial portfolios last week including the appointment of Public Works, Transport, and Meteorological Services Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau as Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
This position was held by Ms Tabuya.
Ms Ali said Government had a sound gender policy, a National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls, policies on Women’s Economic Empowerment and a policy to promote women’s political leadership.
“Yet the Prime Minister chose to remove an accomplished female MP from an important leadership role.”
Ro Filipe’s appointment will come into effect today.
