The Minister for Information, Lynda Tabuya, has raised urgent concerns about the rising tide of online abuse targeting women in Fiji, describing it as a pressing national issue that poses a serious threat to the country’s productivity, leadership, and future. With women and girls making up half of Fiji’s population, alarming data reveals that around 66 percent of them have faced some form of abuse, with online harassment occurring at a rate ten times higher for women than for men.
Tabuya underscored the severe psychological toll this abuse takes, which manifests as anxiety, fear, and trauma. She articulated how such impact diminishes women’s capacity to contribute positively to their families, workplaces, and society as a whole. “When we have women who we need to be productive, who we need to take care of families, who we need to be able to contribute to society, when they are attacked, they face psychological harm. There’s anxiety, there’s fear, there’s trauma. This results in a cost that makes them unproductive,” she expressed.
The minister also remarked on the significant barriers this online harassment creates for women aspiring to enter politics and leadership positions. Notably, the number of women in Fiji’s Parliament has dramatically decreased from 11 in 2018 to just five following the 2022 elections, a decline attributed to the harsh online abuse faced during election campaigns. Additionally, only 8 percent of voters supported female candidates, highlighting a stark preference for male candidates among the remaining 92 percent.
Tabuya cautioned that reduced female representation in leadership roles could negatively impact families, society, and the nation overall.
Echoing this sentiment, Faith Harvest Church Senior Pastor Reverend Manasa Kolivuso emphasized that effectively combating violence against women necessitates addressing the underlying issues related to male behavior. He pointed out that many male abusers often carry unresolved trauma and advocated for national policies focused on education, mentoring, and rehabilitation of men to foster healthier dynamics.
This appeal for action highlights a hopeful move toward creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all in Fiji. By working together to tackle online abuse and encourage healthier interactions between genders, there is promising potential for meaningful change in women’s representation and empowerment within society.