Lynda Tabuya Photo: Facebook / Fiji Government
The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) says it believes that the media attention on Lynda Tabuya will not deter women from entering politics.
Tabuya was dismissed as the Minister for Women and Children on 26 December, following the circulation of a private video of her dancing naked made for her husband.
The video, which was leaked after her phone was hacked, went viral, sparking widespread criticism of the former cabinet minister.
The incident also raised bigger questions about how women in politics are treated, especially when their personal lives are exposed, and whether such scandals deter other women from entering politics.
Vani Catanasiga, Director of FCOSS, said that there are "standards to uphold" as a public figure.
"It is different here...in terms of whether the media attention deters other young girls from entering the political sphere, no, I have spoken to women who do not believe so. If anything, it empowers them even more to enter that space."
In the spotlight
The leaked video is the latest in a series of controversies involving the MP.
In January 2024, she was ousted as deputy leader of the People's Alliance Party (PAP) amid allegations of an affair with Education Minister Aseri Radrodro.
The affair allegedly involved drug use during a parliamentary study trip to Melbourne in 2023.
Fiji's now dismissed education minister Aseri Radrodro, left, and women's and children's minister Lynda Tabuya, right. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, middle, has said he will not respond to "comments on social media". Photo: RNZ Pacific
Tabuya denied the allegations, claiming they were politically motivated.
She argued, "This comes as no surprise as these very same people opposed my appointment to be deputy party leader before the elections in 2022, so they have pounced on this opportunity to do so."
Double-standards and gender-based violence?
Tabuya's removal has prompted debate on whether men and women are held to different standards in politics, highlighting the online gender-based violence that is prevalent in Fiji.
Some argue that women, especially those in high-profile positions, are subjected to stricter moral expectations.
Tabuya has described the leak as tantamount to cybercrime and gender-based violence.
"It is a grievous form of cyber bullying and must stop if we are truly committed to ending violence against women and girls in Fiji."
An article published by ABC Pacific on 30 December caused a public backlash.
Some criticised Tabuya's actions, calling her behaviour a disgrace to leadership.
Another, Sudesh Raju, questioned the integrity of the government, saying "What if all the ministers start doing the same? What will be the integrity of the Government?"
And, Yerusha Mai Viti, insisted that "moral standards do not have a gender."
Susana Manoa posted, "question: is she not human? Where are the human rights displayed here? It is sad that she is totally stripped of her Ministerial posting before any actual proof of how the video was leaked, has been discovered. Way to kick a dog while it's already down."
Prominent Fiji Women's Rights Activist Shamima Ali has continuously offered Tabuya her support.
Ali pointed out that Radrodro faced no significant repercussions over his alleged affair with Tabuya, while she was removed from her leadership role.
In April, 2024, Radrodro was reinstated as the Minister for Education, three months after Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka demoted him.
In a social media post, Dialogue Fiji executive director Nilesh Lali said that he believed Tabuya was being "punished twice".
"First by the gross violation of her privacy and now by this dismissal from her ministerial position. The same mob occupying a high moral ground over this incident, and crying for Tabuya's blood, remain eerily silent when it comes to racism, child abuse, and countless other injustices plaguing Fijian society," he posted.
But the political response to the scandal has been mixed.
Rabuka removed her from cabinet saying it was in the people's best interest.
However he encouraged those facing gender-based violence to take action.
"It contradicts the universal norms and respect for privacy," he said.
Tabuya's future remains unclear
Tabuya's future depends on the outcome of a disciplinary hearing she appeared before three weeks, ago by the People's Allliance party.
The party is expected to announce its findings this week.
