Trustees Leave Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre
That’s nobody’s business what happens between trustees and us, says Shamima Ali.
Two prominent members of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) Board of Trustees have resigned amid claims of governance issues.
Maureen Penjueli and Sufinaaz Dean recently tendered their resignation.
Ms Penjueli is the longtime respected coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG). Ms Dean is a director for Communications Fiji Limited (CFL) and has played a prominent role in its growth into the region’s leading commercial broadcaster.
They were part of a four-member board of trustees. The other trustees are:
Lanieta Tuimabu – Office Manager at the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation; and
Vasitai Batirerega – Lecturer at the Fiji National University’s School of Medicine’s Department of Midwifery.
It is understood that Ms Penjueli had resigned first in August, followed by Ms Dean in mid September. Both Ms Dean and Ms Penjueli have declined to comment.
“My resignation was for personal reasons and I have no comment on this matter,” Ms Dean replied on Facebook Messenger.
She was surprised when visited at her Veiuto home.
“Please go away, I’m not going to comment,” was her only reply after she was informed it was Shine A Light.
She quickly walked away. Ms Penjueli referred all questions to the existing board of trustees.
“I am no longer a trustee of FWCC. I suggest you contact one of the existing trustees,” she said via email.
Shamima Ali is the Coordinator for FWCC. She joined the centre in late 1985. She became a paid coordinator in 1986.
Ms Ali is regarded as one of the powerful and influential figures among civil society organisations. Under her leadership, the Centre has made a mark in advocating for women’s rights in Fiji and the region.
Ms Ali had contacted Shine a Light on Monday after learning of inquiries made with the Centre.
When asked about the resignation of the two trustees, Ms Ali said: “That’s nobody’s business what happens between trustees and us.
“You’ve got other trustees too and they are still there. People leave as their term comes to an end or for whatever reason and whoever it is [the whistleblower] good luck to them.
“I am not instructed by my trustees and my management board to answer any questions.”
Questions sent to Ms Ali yesterday morning remained unanswered but Shine A Light received a message from Ms Ali’s lawyer, Richard Naidu, of Munro Leys.
He advised that Ms Ali would respond to questions if given ample time. He also issued a number of cautions to Shine A Light.
Shine A Light will publish Ms Ali’s responses when they are received.
FUNDERS
Both the Australian and New Zealand governments are major funders of the work carried out by the centre. Millions of dollars have been pumped into the operation of the organisation by both countries.
The Australian and New Zealand High Commissions are aware of the resignations.
Australian High Commissioner John Feakes said: “While we fund FWCC to provide counselling and support for survivors of family violence, the FWCC board is independent.”
New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Curr saaid they recognise that governance is an important leadership function of any organisation.
“As partners we remain committed to supporting FWCC as they work through these governance changes,” Mr Curr said.
According to the centre’s website, the daily operations of the organisation are carried out by Ms Ali and 16 staff.
There is a management committee that holds quarterly meetings. The committee is consulted when it comes to major decision-makings.
The committee is responsible for overall policy and direction of the centre. It includes the management staff of the Centre, the project officers of its branches and Board of Trustees.
ABOUT SHAMIMA ALI:
She was a former high school science teacher;
She followed feminist groups while in England with her former husband, who was studying at the University of Sussex;
She was one of the original group of radio announcers at the Communications Fiji Limited before joining FWCC;
She is one of the founding members of the Pacific’s Women’s Network Against Violence Against Women;
She also served as a Human Rights Commissioner in Fiji from 2004 to 2006; and
She has been honoured with numerous awards including the Women Courage Award by the US State Department in 2007.
Ms Ali has been the coordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre for more than three decades.
She is a critic of the FijiFirst Government