The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Fiji Women’s Rights Movement have condemned the homophobic comments by the new FRU Director Laijipa Naulivou which blatantly reject (Pacific Islanders of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics) inclusion in women's rugby.
FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali says they are also concerned with how the Fiji Sun reported the comments made by the new FRU Director.
Ali says what was more shocking was the headline that was used to sensationalize the article.
The headline was “Gay Management”.
Ali says the headline, together with the comments that were published is yet again another example of how women continue to face misogyny and sexism in this day and age - at every level of society including sports.
She says the Board’s role including that of Naulivou is to look after all the players regardless of their sex and sexual orientation, as the 2013 Fiji Constitution demands.
Ali says a sound organizational constitution and policies should take care of any disciplinary issues raised by Naulivou.
She says the comments as reported by The Fiji Sun have unleashed widespread homophobia on social media.
The FWCC Coordinator says it is a very harmful and very regressive stance that Naulivou has taken.
She says they are urging the Board to denounce these statements immediately.
FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh says such remarks are not only prejudiced and discriminatory but also undermine the fundamental values of respect, equality, and inclusion that sports should uphold.
Singh says foremost, the constitution under section 26(3) (a) states that no person may be unfairly discriminated based on their sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
She says Naulivou needs to be educated on this as we all are very aware of the biases that women in rugby face.
The Executive Director says they did not expect such backward and harmful remarks from her.
She says sexual orientation should never be a barrier to participation, leadership, or success in any sporting field-including rugby.
Singh says the notion that being gay is a 'problem" in women's rugby is deeply troubling and perpetuates harmful stereotypes that have no place in modern sports or society.
She says these comments do not reflect the spirit of sportsmanship, nor do they align with Fiji's commitments to human rights, gender equality, and non-discrimination.
The Executive Director says the remarks are harmful, and in direct violation of the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Fiji Constitution.
She says rather than focusing their efforts on the sexuality of the players, they should do their job and look for adequate funding and provide for the well-being of the women rugby players so they don't have to sleep on benches in front of airports and walk miles to their training.
Singh is calling on the FRU to take a firm stance against such exclusionary rhetoric by enforcing policies that protect women, fostering an environment of respect, and ensuring that leadership positions are held by individuals who champion inclusivity.
She says silence is complicity and the leadership should reflect the values of inclusion, not exclusion.
The Executive Director says they stand in solidarity with all women in sports, including those who are part of the PIDSOGISEC community, and no one should be forced to choose between their identity and their passion for the game as rugby and all sports must be a space for everyone
She says the FWRM remains committed to advocating for a more inclusive and equitable society--on and off the field.
Meanwhile the Fiji Rakavi Football Union Limited Board of Directors has terminated the appointment of Laijipa Naulivou this afternoon as Director of Rugby after she made comments that she does not condone lesbianism in our national women’s rugby team.
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