Shamima Ali seems to have made it a mission to make political attacks against the AG instead of fighting to protect women - FNUSA

The Fiji National University Students’ Association has expressed grave concern on political statements being made by the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre, saying instead of fighting to protect women, it has been noted that Shamima Ali seems to have made it a mission to make political attacks against Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum at every chance she gets.

FNU Students Association Director Student Support, Prathna Vikash says FNUSA wants NGOs like the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre to focus on what they are funded to do.

Vikash says at a time when the media has exposed the "sex for grades scandal" on a massive scale at a prominent university, it is shocking that Ali and the Crisis Centre have barely raised a voice.

She says young girls are literally being exploited and extorted for sex but the FWCC feels it more important to make regular statements against the Attorney General.

Vikash says FNUSA expected a large national outcry against the university in question by women's rights groups, and demands on the media daily for the young girls of Fiji to be safe from exploitation, but instead we are seeing NGOs playing politics and allowing girls to be exploited.

She asks why is Shamima Ali not on the media daily asking for our girls to be protected, why has Ali said nothing about the leadership of the university that has been exposed and is the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre an NGO or a political party.

Vikash also says FNUSA is in the process of implementing strategies to protect students at FNU from exploitation, with more being announced in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile she has thanked Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for all they have done for women and girls.

Vikash says we can now see more girls in schools and universities than ever before and this is a direct result of the education policies put in by the Government.

FNUSA President, Ketan Lal has requested that stakeholders work together to prevent exploitation of women and girls at universities.

Lal says we must all work together to ensure that our women and girls feel protected and safe from exploitation when they receive their education.

He says the Government has made significant progress in the protection of vulnerable people, and they urge that this effort not be undermined by the political ambition of bad actors.

We have approached Shamima Ali for a response. She has not made any comments.