Transcript
SHAMIMA ALI: I think it's quite disgusting and it should be of concern to all of us. The good thing about it is that at least it has come out and there has been some ownership of it. But this is a global trend, it seems to be. We have heard of such agencies, that there has been harassment, there has been some bullying of local staff and so on going on. But it doesn't often come out, it remains an internal matter. This is sort of opening a bit of a Pandora's box, not that we in Fiji are devoid of this stuff going on in any of our local organisations, it's quite rife. But the fact that it happens within organisations that are out here to help the vulnerable, it is a lot more shocking.
JENNY MEYER: And something like the World Food Programme that people depend on especially given the recent cyclone season, it's been a bad one this year, and dispersing food to people who really need it in times of vulnerability, it's really quite an integral part of survival at time in Fiji.
SA: Yes, that it is. You know we do have during disasters we have worked with the government to develop a code of conduct for people who work in these areas, the first responders, the people who are out there working with the vulnerable people. And it seems that while some development agencies urge us to have such code of conduct and so on, it is sorely missing within its own organisation. So you know I really believe that this is the time when a real good look within these organisations by themselves but also you know it needs to be scrutinised by the local authorities also.
JM: What would you say to any other women who might be in a similar situation where they're feeling really uncomfortable at work, they're being harassed but they fear complaining out of maybe losing their job if they did?
SA: And further victimisation. I would say to those women you know it is a safer environment now in Fiji. I can that, that you can come out. There are organisations like the Crisis Centre, the Fiji Women's Rights Movement who have done a recent survey of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct in the workplace. So it is a safer environment. Please come out. Talk to us and you know I would say to the women 'speak out now' and there is a global trend that we can all be part of.
JM: Do you know if this case involving the World Food Programme in Fiji is likely to go to court in Fiji? Have you got any understanding or information about that?
SA: I have made enquiries, that it hasn't been reported to the police as yet and I don't know whether it will be or this is where the matter rests. I think it should go through the courts but the people have been sent away. And the question also is and the trend that we have sort of seen is they just get moved on to another agency or they get a job in another agency you know. So they continue this kind of behaviour. I believe they should be brought to task within the country where it happens. I think one of the problems is diplomatic immunity so I think these are the things that we need to be working through.