Defamatory attacks on social media directed at women in political roles are proving to be a significant barrier, deterring many from seeking leadership positions. This alarming trend was addressed by Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lenora Qereqeretabua, who underscored the relentless harassment that female lawmakers endure online.
Qereqeretabua acknowledged that while social media can promote positive interactions, it also magnifies negative responses, often unjustly targeted at women in leadership. To navigate this challenging environment, she opts to disregard the online vitriol and focus on her governmental duties. “I don’t look at it. It’s really important for me because I have a lot more important things to do. There’s a saying that people will throw stones at ripe mangoes and so forth. I’m not affected,” she shared.
The Assistant Minister highlighted a troubling reality: many qualified women are reluctant to enter politics due to the hostile attention that female politicians often attract online. With municipal council elections approaching, this situation is particularly concerning. Qereqeretabua expressed hope that many women will seize the opportunity to run for local councils and aspire to national leadership roles.
Joining the conversation, Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya resonated with Qereqeretabua’s concerns, noting that the continuous online abuse undermines the progress that women in leadership positions are striving to achieve. “He or she may have wanted to, but with all this vitriol that women are facing online, the abuse, it’s actually translating into discouraging voters to vote for women. So it is a huge effect on it and a cost,” Tabuya remarked.
In the face of these challenges, both ministers emphasized the need for robust support systems to mentor and motivate women to become actively involved in politics. Their collective remarks spotlight a critical issue while simultaneously fostering a hopeful perspective for the future of female leaders in the political sphere. The determination and resilience displayed by these leaders could inspire a new generation of women to step forward into political roles, helping to pave the way for a more inclusive and balanced leadership landscape.