Civil servants should stand against drug abuse and violence against women, says Public Service Commission chairman Luke Rokovada.
Mr Rokovada said these issues were some of the most urgent challenges facing Fiji’s public workforce and the wider society.
Speaking at the soft launch of the Civil Service Day celebrations in Suva this week, the theme Inspire Hope and Resilience in Combating Drugs and Violence against Women in the Civil Service was not just symbolic but a call for meaningful action.
“It is a call for every civil servant, every agency, and every leader in our public sector to stand up for what is right, humane and just,” Mr Rokovada said.
“It reflects the pressing need for unity, courage and compassion in addressing two of the most harmful challenges facing our society and workforce today, drug abuse and violence against women.”
He said civil servants played a pivotal role in ensuring the government machinery continued to function smoothly and that public services were delivered effectively.
“He also warned that drug abuse and gender-based violence undermined that mission by limiting the potential of the people and, therefore, the nation’s progress.
“The scourge of drug abuse and the heartbreaking prevalence of violence against women, two issues that hinder our people’s potential and limit our nation’s ability to grow and develop at a steady pace.
“No one should ever have to endure such violence.
“We lost a civil servant, Sainimere Tuinasakea, earlier this year, allegedly due to domestic violence, and her death is a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure the safety and dignity of all women in Fiji.”
