Source: Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre
17 September 2026
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is appalled by the Government’s dismissive response to allegations of sexual harassment involving the appointment of Pita Wise as Permanent Secretary for Public Enterprise.
The Public Service Commission’s response that the complaint was withdrawn, and the Prime Minister’s assertion that Wise was given time to “cool off” trivialise a serious allegation and demonstrate a disturbing lack of commitment to addressing violence against women.
A complaint being withdrawn does not absolve the PSC of their responsibility to investigate. Women withdraw complaints for many reasons, including fear of retaliation, intimidation, victim-blaming, damage to their careers, and a lack of faith in systems that too often fail to protect them.
Fiji has a National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls, which commits the Government and state institutions to addressing all forms of violence against women, including sexual harassment. These commitments must be reflected in practice.
If the Government is serious about ending violence against women and girls, it must ensure that allegations of sexual harassment are treated seriously, investigated independently, and addressed transparently. Anything less undermines public confidence and sends a wrong message to survivors across Fiji.
We call on the Prime Minister and Government to rectify this decision.