FWCC calls on PM to reinstate Tabuya as Deputy Party Leader

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has made a call to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to reinstate People’s Alliance Party member Lynda Tabuya as the Deputy Leader of the party.

Speaking to the media at a press conference today, Coordinator Shamima Ali is questioning the government if they are really serious about women in leadership.

Ali says what happened to Tabuya is setting a very bad precedent and it was dealt with just after an allegation against a female leader who is doing pretty well and who does not conform to the norm.

She says women in leadership are often judged by their personal and, particularly, by their sexual behaviour.

Ali stresses that these are all just allegations against Tabuya.

Ali says there has been a systematic target to remove Tabuya as Leader of Government of Business in parliament and now as the Deputy Leader of her own party.

The FWCC Coordinator is reminding the party that Tabuya had the second-highest votes after the Prime Minister in their party during the 2022 general elections.

She also says that women leaders have to play dumb in front of men, but when women step out of the norm, they are ridiculed.

Ali adds they are also saddened by the news that the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection will not be leading the delegation to the Women’s Global Conference in New York. She says they have received confirmation that the Permanent Secretary for Women will be leading the team.

We have been asking Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka from earlier this week on his response regarding Tabuya’s removal as Deputy Party Leader, and Tabuya’s comments that she has been targeted and her dismissal is unfair.

He is yet to respond.