The Vanuatu government awarded the ‘Coordinator for Fiji’s Women Crisis Centre’, Shamima Ali, the 40th Anniversary Medal for her work in “eliminating violence against women and children.” Ali was also working in conjunction with her counterparts in Vanuatu to protect the rights of women and young children.
Ali was quoted by the RNZ International:
“I’ve been connected to the (Vanuatu) centre since 1992 through Merilyn Tahi who is the founder and the leading lady there at the centre. I did not expect a medal or anything else in my honour, but it was a very pleasant surprise.
RNZ Source
Ali has been an advocate for the rights of women in Fiji, and worked tirelessly to bring to the attention of lawmakers in Fiji the issue of violence against women such as rape, and other “misogynistic behaviors.” Ali is also a strong supporter of West Papua. She and her organization have been standing in solidarity with West Papua for years. For that, we are thankful.
We congratulate her for a wonderful achievement, and for standing up for West Papua when most political leaders in the region chose Indonesian money over the atrocities committed by the Indonesian government against West Papuans.