Premila Kumar should back her broad statements with evidence, and not just shame women for being involved in prostitution – FWCC

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has called on the Minister for Local Government, Premila Kumar to have some respect and be more considerate while making public statements after Kumar said that she has been informed that prostitution has surfaced in the Public Rental Board flats.

FWCC Coordinator, Shamima Ali says the Minister should back her broad public statements with evidence and data, and not just shame women for being involved in prostitution.

Ali says these are wild allegations and can have devastating impacts on women who are already marginalized and live in the low-income flats.

She says it would have been appropriate for the Minister to understand the complexity of the problem, visit the women living in the area and raise awareness, instead of grandstanding in the media.

Ali says now that the issue has garnered public attention, women living in the area face the risks of being targeted, blamed, abused, humiliated, vilified or physically attacked.

The Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator says Premila Kumar should understand that in most cases, prostitution is not a conscious and calculated choice.

Ali says most women who become prostitutes do so because they were forced or coerced by a man, or, when it is an independent decision, it is generally the result of extreme poverty and lack of opportunity, or of serious underlying problems, such as drug addiction or trauma.

She also says the Minister should first understand that prostitution is a form of exploitation of women and male dominance over women, resulting from the existing patriarchal societal order.

Ali says that is where the Minister should divert her attention to – understanding the root cause of the problem and not create unnecessary panic and fear.

She has urged national leaders to understand the implications their public statements could have on the lives of those who are already vulnerable in our society.

We have sent the statement to Minister for Local Government, Premila Kumar. She says she will comment later.