The online landscape in Fiji has become increasingly perilous for women and girls, according to Sashi Kiran, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection. Recent data from the Online Safety Commission indicates that women represent over 60 percent of all complaints related to online abuse. Alarmingly, a 2024 report highlights that 22 percent of Fijian women frequently encounter image-based abuse, while 30 percent are subjected to defamatory attacks online, often perpetrated by fake accounts.
With a staggering 86 percent of adults in Fiji actively using social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, issues such as misinformation and manipulated images through artificial intelligence have become prevalent, contributing to reputational harm. Kiran addressed these concerns during her opening speech at the Young Women’s Forum on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). This year’s forum, now in its second iteration, gathers 51 young women from various sectors, including Year 13 students and recent graduates, creating a platform for discussions around the rising risks of TFGBV.
Kiran emphasized the urgency of tackling online harm, noting that Fiji’s digital ecosystem is rapidly evolving. The forum serves as an inclusive space to address critical topics such as online harassment, cyberstalking, hate speech, and non-consensual image sharing. She also highlighted the acknowledgment 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 for 2023-2028.
Looking ahead, the forum’s program for 2025 includes a youth-led review of the Online Safety Act, enabling participants to analyze the legislation’s strengths and weaknesses while suggesting enhancements for its enforcement. Notable figures such as Australian Deputy High Commissioner Clair McNamara and UNFPA Pacific Director Bidisha Pillai attended the opening, reinforcing their commitment to promoting the rights and safety of women and girls in both digital and physical environments.
This initiative, part of the broader global campaign for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, aims to involve young women in vital conversations about the impact of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and identify the support systems available to them. Efforts like these underscore the importance of fostering a safer online space for women and girls in Fiji, highlighting the collective responsibility to combat digital abuse.