The government must prioritize investment in the Online Safety Commission, according to John Apted, a litigation partner at Munroe Ley Lawyers. He discussed this topic during the event “Breaking Barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji,” held at Tanoa Plaza on Tuesday night.
Mr. Apted pointed out that social media presents significant challenges for women aspiring to enter politics. He noted, “The media is much less powerful now than it used to be; the reality is that action occurs primarily on social media.” He expressed concern about the harsh and often sexist nature of Fiji’s social media landscape, which frequently targets women and individuals from the LGBTQ+ community.
He highlighted popular platforms such as Chat Fiji, where personal and intimate images are often shared without consent, creating a hostile environment that deters women from participating in public life. Despite existing legislation aimed at holding perpetrators accountable, Mr. Apted lamented the lack of government investment to enforce these laws.
He stated, “Online Safety in terms of providing budget, personnel, public awareness, and so on is crucial.” He urged that this matter requires immediate attention to empower women to engage more confidently in the public arena.
Mr. Apted encouraged women to voice their concerns to the government and advocate for increased investment in online safety, emphasizing that such measures would make it easier for women to enter the political sphere.