The Government will not interfere in the operations or management of the Miss Fiji Pageant.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made this clarification when asked whether he or the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Maciu Nalumisa, would look into allegations raised by Miss Fiji, Peggy Ravusiro against the pageant committee and its director.
He said Cabinet’s role was limited to deciding whether the Government should support the event and stressed that it would not meddle in the administration of the pageant.
Mr Nalumisa said he was not aware of the specific allegations made against his senior staff or municipal administrators, noting that there was an established committee responsible for overseeing the pageant.
“As far as I am concerned, the committee has followed all due process in selecting Miss Fiji and in ensuring that the representative truly reflects Fiji,” Mr Nalumisa said.
“If contestants are not comfortable signing contracts, those are matters that have already been discussed, and they are given time to consider their position.
“They need to formalise their decisions before moving on to the next stage.”
Responding to calls for beauty pageants to be removed amid concerns about the exploitation and commercialisation of women, Mr Nalumisa said pageants could serve as a platform for women’s empowerment.
He said the focus was no longer solely on physical appearance but on providing women with opportunities to advocate on important issues, particularly through media exposure and public engagement.
“A lot of people will be attending. There will be media coverage. And it’s for these reasons that it can assist in awareness.
“In terms of advocacy in certain areas, most importantly, it’s about women empowerment.”
