The government must enhance funding for the Online Safety Commission, according to John Apted, a litigation partner at Munroe Ley Lawyers. He emphasized this point during a discussion on ‘Breaking Barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji’ at Tanoa Plaza on Tuesday night.
Apted highlighted that social media poses significant challenges for women’s entry into politics. “The media holds less influence now than in the past; the real engagement is happening on social media,” he stated. He described Fiji’s social media landscape as harsh, particularly towards women and the LGBTQ+ community, who often face intense criticism.
He pointed out issues like the popular platform Chat Fiji, where individuals often have their personal and intimate photos shared without consent. “This type of exposure acts as a significant deterrent for women who wish to participate in public life,” he noted.
Despite existing legislation aimed at accountability for online harassment, Apted criticized the lack of government investment to enforce these laws effectively. “Online Safety requires budget allocations, trained personnel, and public awareness initiatives,” he asserted.
He urged women to advocate for government support in this area, suggesting that increased investment in online safety could empower more women to engage actively in public affairs.