Blatant sexual harassment by taxi drivers concerns women

Serious concerns are being raised by some females as they say some taxi drivers have been sexually harassing and indecently annoying them.

While speaking to fijivillage, a Navua resident says there have been incidents where a taxi driver touched her hand and insisted on taking her out for coffee and dinner dates.

Meanwhile, a Suva resident says when she caught a taxi, the driver was friendly and afterwards the taxi driver started asking her if she wanted to make easy money.

She says this has happened many times and she had gotten off before her house because she did not want the taxi driver to know where she stayed.

They both did not report the matter to Police because they felt action will not be taken.

Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro has made it clear that if a report is lodged, the matter will be investigated.

Meanwhile, Fiji Women's Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali says Fiji has some of the highest rates of these crimes against women and girls, and a concerted effort is needed to ensure LTA, the bus companies, the taxi companies, public service companies and unions work together to have policies in place.

She adds this is an ongoing matter for years where public service drivers have sexually harassed women and girls in particular young girls because they are more vulnerable.

Ali says there have been cases where women visited the Crisis Centre when they were harassed with personal questions. She says women who were doing night shifts were also picked up and raped and then taken back home or to their workplaces.

She adds they do counselling when women go to the Crisis Centre as incidents like this cause a lot of trauma particularly when women have to use taxis to go to work every day.

Ali says some women stop going to work because they have to face this kind of thing and it does impact them.

She says the counsellors ensure that they know what the law is and what to look into if the individual decides to take the matter up to court.