The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre says they see the appointment of Tevita Tuiloa as Interim CEO of Fiji Rugby Union as an opportunity to renew an open and honest partnership with the FRU.
The Centre believes that this is an opportunity for Tuiloa to open doors for those who seek help.
They say Tuiloa can open the door to a new era for Fiji Rugby where they provide equal opportunities for women in sports, promote gender equality, help eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls and also not allow convicted rapists who are still serving their sentence to play in Fiji Rugby sanctioned local 7s tournaments.
FWCC hopes Tuiloa will do better than his predecessor and not ignore the live realities of women and girls in this country.
They say last month, the FWCC partnered with McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast 7s as they have set the standard for team participation agreements as far as local rugby tournaments are concerned.
They add this means the tournament will not permit any player currently serving a custodial sentence to be eligible for participation in the tournament.
The Center is also supporting an innovative campaign developed by organisers – “the Giving Violence against Women the Red Card” during the tournament and this will include the provision of information and services to those who attend over the course of the tournament and beyond.
This is an example of what open, meaningful and honest partnerships can do.
They hope there will be a change from today.
