FWRM raises concerns over transparency, gender protections, and accountability during public consultation

The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement has raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and gender protections in its submission during public consultations on the Information Amendment Bill, Accountability and Transparency Commission Bill, and the Code of Conduct Bill.

While speaking during a public consultation on the Bills at Suvavou House today, FWRM Executive Director Nalini Singh says access to publicly held information is essential for ensuring government accountability but bureaucratic obstacles, outdated digital records, and unmaintained public databases continue to hinder transparency, making it difficult to track gender commitments such as women’s representation in leadership roles.

She says these barriers significantly impact their work and ability to analyse the gender commitments, such as representation in leadership.

Singh says looking at the number of women on state-owned enterprise boards, there are about 16 state-owned enterprises who are not sharing that information, even to this day, which is strange.

The organisation has also raised concerns over Section 6 (2) of the Information Amendment Bill, which limits access to government-held information to only those "directly affected," excluding journalists, researchers, and civil society organisations.

Singh says this narrow interpretation weakens public oversight and is calling for its redefinition to allow broader access.

While speaking on the Code of Conduct Bill, Singh says there are significant gaps in addressing sexual harassment, non-discrimination, and accountability.

She says the bill lacks clear definitions for sexual harassment, discrimination, or misconduct, which creates risks of misinterpretation and inconsistent application.

The Executive Director says sexual harassment in workplaces, remains under-reported and unrecognised as a serious issue in Fiji.

Singh also questioned whether the proposed Accountability and Transparency Commission would be truly independent and free from political interference.

Public consultation on the Bills has concluded today but a virtual session will be held tomorrow from 10am to 1pm.