Women's group slams gender bias in diplomatic appointments

The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) says the problem is not that women are unsuccessful in applying for diplomatic posts, but that the system continues to underestimate qualified female candidates.

FWRM executive director Nalini Singh today questioned whether the same rigorous criteria were applied to male appointees, stating that “able and competent women applied with one being far more capable than at least one of the appointees.”

The comments follow Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s statement that women who applied for ambassador positions “didn’t come to my level of selection” and were unsuccessful in the interview and shortlisting process.

Mr Rabuka said several women had applied for ambassadorial roles – one for Israel, six for Indonesia, four for Wellington and one for Geneva – but did not reach the shortlisting stage.

FWRM is calling for greater transparency in the selection process, questioning whether the selection panel was gender-balanced and whether women in foreign service receive equal access to mentoring, training and advancement networks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that 14 Fijian women currently serve in overseas missions and more than 10 are based at headquarters.

FWRM says the issue is not the absence of women, but rather the limited pathway from application to appointment as heads of missions.

The organisation urged Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service Commission to strengthen transparency and gender equality in senior appointments.

“A gender-balanced diplomatic service is not only a matter of fairness; it is a matter of national credibility and pride," the statement read.

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