Women in sports still face discrimination, harassment, and abuse, says Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) co-ordinator Shamima Ali.
Speaking as a guest on The Fiji Times online news portal The Lens @177, Ms Ali said they had worked with sporting organisations to raise awareness of this issue and find role models who were respected and looked up to in the community.
“Rugby was the one that I really wanted, all sports but rugby particularly,” she said.
“Women wanted to play rugby, but the barriers were there and still existed up until today. I mean, we saw it in the sports during the weekend (poor ground conditions), the double standards. We believe also that rugby players can be such great positive role models.”
She said she had also raised the issue of players convicted of domestic violence or rape being allowed to play in tournaments.
Ms Ali said convicted rapists who were serving their time should not be brought out from prison to play in public games, not only within, but other rugby competitions like the Coral Coast.
“We are working very closely with them, and they have got a clause there that says that they will not do that. If you’ve served your time and you’ve come out and you reform, that’s different.
“But not while serving, so they’re paying particular attention to that. We found a partnership there.”
Ms Ali said we must all enjoy all our human rights, and everyone had every right to play rugby.
“But the conditions are so bad, the discrimination, the barriers, their sexual orientation, that has been an ongoing thing and we have worked through all of this over the last decade or so.”
