Fiji minister faces criticism for insensitive comments on women

A Fiji government minister is facing criticism for asking an opposition MP for "evidence" of the reported rape of Indo-Fijian women and children during the political turmoil of the 1987 coup led by prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

Women's minister, Lynda Tabuya, has come under fire from opposition MPs in parliament and human rights activists on social media who accuse her of being insensitive to the victims of sexual abuse perpetrated during the country's first coup.

Tabuya's comments on Wednesday were made in response to the opening statement of FijiFirst MP, Premila Kumar, who expressed reservations about the date set for Girmit Day a newly approved public holiday marking the arrival of Indian indentured labourers to Fiji.

Kumar said May 14 - the day the 1987 coup was carried out - was not "appropriate".

"It will not be solely dedicated to girmitiyas, but they will see 14 May as the day many descendants of girmitiyas were raped, tortured, made homeless and relegated to second class citizens," Kumar said, suggesting that many atrocities took place against Indo-Fijians, including the rape and sexual assault of women.

"Any other day before that could be a good option," she added.

But Tabuya, also the leader of government in parliament, said the opposition were making "baseless accusations" against Rabuka and the coalition.

She refuted Kumar's comments, specifically her reference to "rape" of Indo-Fijian women in 1987.

"Give us the facts," she said.

"Where are the police complaints. Your entire campaign, FijiFirst, ran on sowing seeds of hatred and fear against our leader."

Tabuya assured all Indo-Fijians, who she claimed "voted believing the lies and racism spread by FijiFirst candidates", that the "[coalition] is the govt for you."

"Rabuka is the prime minister for you," she continued in defense of her leader.

But on Thursday, other opposition MPs added their concerns about Tubuya's comments, including former tourism minister, Faiyaz Koya, and for commander of the military forces, Viliame Naupoto.

Tabuya's words "hurt most of the women in Fiji," Koya said in the parliamentary chambers.

"It's quite astounding that she did not and she would not acknowledge the atrocities that were committed against some of our women," he said.

But Tabuya said Koya was "misrepresenting" what she had stated.

She defended her claims that Kumar's comments about what happened in 1987 were "incorrect".

"There were reports from 2000 but not 1987," she said.

"He [Koya] is impugning I was mentioning for all the situations that happened."

Following a fiery back-and-forth between the two, Tabuya maintained that her words were being twisted.

Koya, however, said "the refusal by the minister of women to acknowledge even that fact is a shame."

Fiji Women's Crisis Centre co-ordinator, Shamima Ali, has urged politicians to "learn about the dynamics and culture of rape".

"We urge politicians to stop getting political mileage out of women's bodies & opening old wounds, & re-traumatizing the survivors. Stop reinforcing the rape myths," Ali said in a statement on Thursday.

"This is a new era after 16 years of oppression so please let us heal rather than open old wounds," she said.

She said MPs from both sides of the parliament to be trained to help them "understand the dynamics around heinous crimes like rape and sexual assaults."

"As the experts in the nation and the region, FWCC stands ready to help in any way we can to alleviate women and girls suffering," she said.

"We must create a society that understands and provides appropriate and effective responses to crimes against women, girls and children and with better informed leaders we can achieve this."

Meanwhile, Ali said help is available for all survivors who have experienced rape and all forms of violence.

People can call on Fiji Women's Crisis Centre 24-hour toll free helpline on 1560 if they need assistance.