The country director of the United Nations World Food Programme office in Fiji, Anthony Freeman and another senior male staff member have been asked to leave Fiji.
Australian citizen Anthony Freeman has been suspended, along with another senior male staff member, after allegations of sexual misconduct from female co workers emerged last month.
A spokeswoman for the UN agency, Silke Buhr said that the World Food Programme’s Suva office continues to function under the administration of a temporary officer in charge to ensure operational continuity while the investigation is ongoing.
Buhr adds that a statement on the complaints is being prepared and has declined to comment further while the investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, Fiji Women Crisis Centre Co‑ordinator Shamima Ali says allegations of sexual misconduct at a United Nations agency is a sign that all organisations should be open to scrutiny.
Ali has also highlighted that the fact that it happened within organisations that are out here to help the vulnerable, is a lot more shocking.
Shamima Ali said she hoped Fijian women would be encouraged to speak out against workplace harassment and be part of the global trend to expose unsafe working environments.
