Ali slams social media attack on Women’s Rights Movement

A women's activist group has slammed a recent social media post attacking the work of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM), calling it “insane” and urging the writer to engage in debates on gender with knowledge and evidence

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) coordinator Shamima Ali's response came after a Facebook post questioned FWRM’s role, raising concerns about advocacy for sex worker rights, LGBTQ issues, gender ideology, and other social campaigns.

“I don’t want to comment on such inane posts,” Ms Ali said. “My advice is to do a Gender 101 crash course or, better yet, have a dialogue the Pacific way and learn to participate in this debate from a place of knowledge and evidence.”

The post criticised FWRM for promoting sex worker rights, claiming the organisation should guide women toward “honest, non-invasive ways of earning money."

It also dismissed threats to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning and asexual) rights in Fiji, rejected gender diversity beyond male and female, and challenged FWRM’s positions on environmental protests and international issues like Palestine.

The post further accused FWRM of exaggerating attacks on freedom of speech, citing deleted comments as evidence that women’s voices are being silenced.

The FWRM declined to comment, stating simply, “Please note we will not comment on this.”

The reaction highlights how both FWCC and FWRM have drawn criticism in recent times, reflecting the growing public scrutiny of women’s organisations and their work in Fiji.