The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) executive director Nalini Singh is calling for collective action to create safer work environments for women. Speaking at the Pacific International Media Conference, Singh emphasized the urgent need to tackle sexual harassment and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
Highlighting the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, especially within the media industry, Singh noted the significance of addressing this pervasive problem. “Our work around sexual harassment in the workplace and the media, FWRM like many organizations across the world has advocated for safer workplaces, and this demands urgent attention and collective action,” she said.
Singh showcased research efforts on sexual harassment in the workplace, pointing out that a study conducted in the early 2000s and a follow-up in 2016 showed a drop in prevalence rates from one in three to one in five in Fiji. She also mentioned successful policy changes incorporated into Employment Regulations, making sexual harassment in the workplace a recognized issue.
She urged academics, media organizations, and other stakeholders attending the conference to actively address sexual harassment in media workplaces. “Together, we can create an environment in our workplaces and online spaces where everyone can thrive, feel free from fear and discrimination. And I think it’s high time that all women in this industry and everywhere else say enough is enough.”
Australian Broadcasting Association (ABC) reporter in Fiji, Lice Movono, also addressed the challenges faced by women in Fiji’s media sector, including online bullying, harassment, and stalking. Movono discussed various forms of gender-based violence and discrimination in local media and workplaces, echoing the need for collective action to ensure safer working and online environments.