In the 21st century, the significance of digital access has reached a level comparable to essential needs like clean water, education, and electricity. IT professional Mohammed Nafeez emphasizes that while Fiji strives for modernization, a stark digital divide persists between urban and rural areas. This divide has emerged even more prominently since the COVID-19 pandemic, which not only accelerated digital adoption worldwide, but also highlighted who gets left behind, particularly in digital connectivity.
Citing statistics from the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, Nafeez points out that merely 39% of households in rural regions have reliable internet access, contrasting sharply with 84% in urban areas. This lack of connectivity extends beyond social activities; it limits access to critical services such as education, employment, banking, healthcare, and governmental services, which are increasingly offered online.
“When students in Suva can join online classes in mere seconds, while children in remote areas struggle to find a signal, we’re not just talking about a gap; we’re talking about a barrier to opportunity,” Nafeez states. Although the United Nations has yet to formally declare internet access a basic human right, it has affirmed the need for the rights people have offline to be protected online, underscoring the necessity for connectivity as a human rights issue.
The implications of this digital divide in Fiji are profound. It results in students falling behind in their education, women and youth missing job prospects, farmers being disconnected from essential market price information, and entire communities lacking access to governmental services. Additionally, the costs associated with internet connectivity and devices remain prohibitively high for many rural families, forcing them to make sacrifices in other essential areas like food or education supplies.
Recent articles echo these sentiments, reinforcing the crucial need for enhanced digital connectivity across Fiji. A survey indicates that high digital technology ownership, particularly mobile devices, suggests potential for economic inclusion, despite the existence of significant gaps in access to devices like laptops and low internet connectivity in rural healthcare facilities.
However, Fiji’s commitment to bridging its digital divide shines through initiatives to improve connectivity and digital literacy. As the government works to enhance infrastructure, including focusing on rural areas where connectivity remains limited, there is a broader ambition to utilize technology for economic growth and the enhancement of essential services. By investing in these areas, Fiji hopes to empower its citizens, especially those in marginalized communities, leading to a more inclusive digital future.
With ongoing investments and initiatives, there is hope for greater accessibility and opportunities for all Fijians, which could serve as a foundation for enhanced socio-economic growth in the nation.
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