The online environment in Fiji is becoming increasingly dangerous for women and girls, as highlighted by Sashi Kiran, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection. Recent statistics from the Online Safety Commission reveal that women account for over 60 percent of all online abuse complaints. A 2024 report indicates that 22 percent of Fijian women regularly experience image-based abuse, while 30 percent are victims of defamatory attacks online, often caused by fake accounts.
With an impressive 86 percent of adults in Fiji active on social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, challenges like misinformation and artificially manipulated images are on the rise, resulting in significant harm to reputations. Kiran discussed these pressing concerns during her opening address at the Young Women’s Forum, focused on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). In its second year, the forum has brought together 51 young women from diverse backgrounds, including Year 13 students and recent graduates, to discuss the increasing risks associated with TFGBV.
Kiran underscored the critical need to confront online harm, noting the rapid development of Fiji’s digital landscape. The forum aims to create an inclusive environment for discussions surrounding online harassment, cyberstalking, hate speech, and non-consensual image sharing. She also pointed out the recognition of TFGBV within Fiji’s Service Delivery Protocol for Gender-Based Violence and the Fiji National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls spanning 2023-2028.
Looking ahead, the program for 2025 will feature a youth-led assessment of the Online Safety Act, allowing participants to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses while proposing improvements for its implementation. Among the attendees at the opening were significant figures like Australian Deputy High Commissioner Clair McNamara and UNFPA Pacific Director Bidisha Pillai, who both reaffirmed their dedication to supporting the rights and safety of women and girls in digital and physical spaces.
This initiative aligns with the global movement for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, encouraging young women to engage in critical discussions about the ramifications of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and the support structures available to them. Efforts like these highlight the crucial need for a safer online environment for women and girls in Fiji, emphasizing the shared responsibility to address and prevent digital abuse.