If the Government is serious about ending violence against women and girls, it must ensure that allegations of sexual harassment are treated seriously, investigated independently and addressed transparently.
This is the message from the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, which says it is appalled by the Government’s response to allegations of sexual harassment involving the appointment of Pita Wise as Permanent Secretary for Public Enterprises.
FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali says the Public Service Commission’s statement that the complaints were withdrawn, and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s comments that Wise was given time to “cool off,” trivialise a serious allegation and demonstrate, in the FWCC’s view, a lack of commitment to addressing violence against women.
Ali says the withdrawal of a complaint does not absolve the PSC of its responsibility to investigate.
She says women withdraw complaints for many reasons, including fear of retaliation, intimidation, victim-blaming, damage to their careers and a lack of faith in systems that too often fail to protect them.
She adds that Fiji has a National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls, which commits the Government and state institutions to addressing all forms of violence against women, including sexual harassment.
She says these commitments must be reflected in practice.
She says anything less undermines public confidence and sends the wrong message to survivors across Fiji.
The FWCC Coordinator is calling on the Prime Minister and Government to reconsider the appointment.
Public Service Commission Chair Luke Rokovada says the Prime Minister has spoken and Pita Wise was Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister before he tendered his resignation for personal reasons.
He says Wise has been appointed the Permanent Secretary for Public Enterprises from 8th September, 2026 and is responsible to the Prime Minister.
Rokovada says the Commission will not second guess what the Prime Minister has already stated in his statement to the media.
We have also sent questions to the Prime Minister's Office.
