Women’s human rights groups in Fiji are deeply disappointed and appalled that the Fiji Corrections Service allowed convicted rapist and former national 7s player Amenoni Nasilasila to join the Wardens rugby team in a scrimmage session at the Suva Grammar School ground only five days after he was sentenced by the Lautoka High Court.
Fijivillage has sent questions to Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Francis Kean. He is yet to respond.
A joint statement has been released by the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre, DIVA for Equality, femLINKPacific and the Fiji Women's Rights Movement.
Fiji Women's Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali says these actions send a dangerous message to the public that perpetrators of sexual violence will not be held to account, especially when they have national sporting achievements.
Fiji Women's Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali
She says no one is above the law.
Ali adds rugby and sporting achievements should not ever be valued over the lives and bodies of women and girls.
She stresses that this is inhumane and ignores the reality of victims and survivors of sexual violence and the life-long trauma they face.
Ali says it has only been five days since the announcement of his sentencing yet he continues to receive media coverage as a rugby hero undergoing rehabilitation.
She adds it's saddening to see the hateful commentary against the victim of rape, while the perpetrator is being allowed to visit rugby teams and pose with fans for pictures.
Fiji Women's Rights Movement Executive Director Nalini Singh says Nasilasila has not even started serving his sentence, it is horrific for the victim/survivor and any victims in this country, who have or have not reported their issues, to see a perpetrator being praised for his help in sports.
Fiji Women's Rights Movement Executive Director Nalini Singh
She says they have continued to reiterate this time and time again.
Singh says sexual violence is prevalent in Fiji.
She adds they can have progressive laws in place but the change that must happen is our attitudes.
DIVA for Equality's outgoing Political Adviser Noelene Nabulivou says it is important to look at the root of the problem, which is the gendered hierarchies in our society.
DIVA for Equality's outgoing Political Adviser Noelene Nabulivou
She says they need to promote a human-rights based approach to dealing with this issue.
Nabulivou says there needs to be a change in attitude and behaviour from the community towards the deeply entrenched problem of gender-based violence.
She says while some cases are being reported in the media, many injustices and instances of gender-based violence, including violence against lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons remains invisible.
femLINKPacific Executive Producer Director Susan Grey also emphasised the importance of the role of the media in providing a voice for women.
femLINKPacific Executive Producer Director Susan Grey
She says the media can also get involved by taking the portrayal of women and girls beyond victimhood, to amplifying their voices as leaders in our collective efforts to end gender-based violence.
Grey adds it's everyone's responsibility to speak up against all forms of discrimination and violence and women's voices, as experts on their own issues and experiences are vital towards promoting gender equality.
The Fiji Women’s Rights organisations will be meeting with leaders in government to discuss their concerns and are calling on all sectors of society to join them in their ongoing work to end violence and discrimination against women and girls.
They say the responsibility belongs to all of us to take action in homes and communities.
The joint statement also says families, sports academies, faith-based organisations, communities, and schools have a critical responsibility to challenge the regressive attitudes towards sexual violence and rape culture in Fiji.
It stresses that the importance of consent in a relationship needs to be respected and the public needs to contest their gender biasness and recognise gender-based violence is always about power and control.
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