Press Release

The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre has called on the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to rethink its recent statements about pregnancies, in particular pregnancy outside of wedlock. “The recent statements by both the Commander and the Land Force Commander not only reflect outdated thinking but is discriminatory,” said Edwina Kotoisuva, Deputy Coordinator of FWCC.

In a recent newspaper article, the Commander of the RFMF issued a warning to all female soldiers that “the institution will not condone those who bear children outside of wedlock” (FS 3/9/2010 p.1). Also in the article, the Land Force Commander has said that pregnancy increases the burden  on male soldiers and that it was a “waste of time” because the women cannot do anything while they are pregnant (FS p.7). “These statements are discriminatory and does not recognize the contribution of women in the public or private sphere”, said Kotoisuva.

The FWCC says that while this interim administration has passed the Employment Relations Regulations, what is being said by the RFMF is in direct contrast to the provisions of the Promulgation. On the one hand, everyone is urging the private sector to ensure that women are guaranteed their rights in terms of fully paid maternity leave and on the other we have one institution which is passing such contradictory statements”.

The FWCC says that singling out unwed women who fall pregnant reflects an outdated way of thinking. “Already there is a stigma attached to being an unwed mother and to be punished in the workplace for this is like taking us back in time”, said Kotoisuva. “We’re still grappling with issues such as abandoned babies and these types of statements only add to the problem”, said Kotoisuva. “Furthermore, at community level this mindset is changing so it is irresponsible for people in positions of power to make such comments”.

The FWCC says that the rights of women have to be upheld according to the provisions in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to which Fiji is a signatory and has commitments. “Women should be able to make their own choices in relation to their reproductive and sexual rights regardless of whatever field of employment they are engaged in and they should not be punished for the choices that they make. In addition, there is potential for women to be forced into marriage just to preserve their employment and this is a serious infringement of their rights”. The FWCC says that the RFMF owes it to the women of Fiji to have a better understanding or gender equality and to recognize the rights of women in employment.