Qereqeretabua Takes On The Fiji Times

Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua has taken a significant step to support women contemplating a foray into politics but are deterred by concerns about potential scrutiny of their appearance.

This move comes in response to a 'Letter to the Editor' published by The Fiji Times, authored by Sukha Singh, body-shaming Ms Qereqeretabua.

Mr Singh wrote the letter after seeing Ms Qereqeretabua's photo on the newspaper's front page last Saturday.

The letter was published a day later in the newspaper's Sunday Times.

The published letter went viral and gained wide criticism on social media, slamming Mr Singh and the newspaper.

Body shaming involves making inappropriate and negative comments about a person's weight or size.

While Ms Qereqeretabua initially considered the letter insignificant, her commitment to encouraging women in politics led her to challenge it.

In an email to The Fiji Times' Editor in- Chief, Fred Wesley on Wednesday, she expressed her concerns.

"The Fiji Times' decision to print this letter is exactly the reason it is so hard to get more women to put their hands up for public office in Fiji," Ms Qereqeretabua wrote.

"It has been hard enough to get more women to be brave enough to say Yes without your paper putting one of only five women in parliament under the spotlight like you have done."

She urged the newspaper's staff to read the FemLink study titled #NotTheCost, focusing on violence against women in politics in three Pacific countries, including Fiji.

The Minister for Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, has lodged a complaint with the Fiji Media Council against the newspaper, with council chairperson Agatha Ferei Furivai confirming receipt of the complaint and forwarding it to the newspaper for a response.

The Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya, strongly condemned body shaming, emphasising its unacceptability in any context.

She highlighted statistics showing women in politics and leadership roles face five times more attacks than men.

"I support Fiji Women Crisis Centre that, no leader, whether they are women or men, should be targeted for something that is not sticking to the issue maybe someone's weight gain, what they are wearing or how they have done their hair which has nothing to do with politics," Ms Tabuya said.

"Speak on issues because we must help our people. There are many more important issues to discuss.

"I fully support Honourable Lenora Qereqeretabua as an able and competent leader who speaks for those that cannot speak for themselves and I support her as a woman leader and a friend."

In response to the situation, Mr Wesley, in his editorial column on December 14, acknowledged the potential for free expression to offend others.

He emphasised the newspaper's commitment to empowering women but noted the unfortunate negative impact this issue may have had on Ms Qereqeretabua.

Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj