Online violence against women and girls with disabilities presents a significant yet overlooked challenge, exacerbated by the lack of reliable data and effective reporting mechanisms. Sainimili Tawake, the Chief Executive of Disability Forum Pacific, emphasizes the critical need for comprehensive statistics to combat what she describes as a silent epidemic of online harassment and abuse.
Advocates for disability rights contend that the absence of data prevents adequate accountability and protection for victims of such violence. Tawake highlighted the dire situation, noting, “There is very little data on violence against women with disabilities in the Pacific. Most of what we have are only anecdotes, and because we do not have proper data, governments are not pushed to act, even though this violence is happening and we are not talking about it.” This statement underscores the urgent necessity for governments to address this issue vigorously.
Additionally, Tawake pointed to the rising cases of domestic violence as a catalyst for the need to tackle online abuse. To this effect, collaboration is ongoing between organizations, such as Tikoivou, a research officer from the National Council of People with Disability, and relevant governmental ministries to find solutions and provide support for disabled individuals.
Disability advocates are calling for immediate action, stressing the importance of stronger partnerships, improved data collection, and targeted support systems to safeguard women and girls with disabilities from both online and gender-based violence. The collective efforts to raise awareness and enhance protections reflect a hopeful commitment to foster a safer environment for vulnerable populations.
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