John Apted, a litigation partner at Munroe Ley Lawyers, emphasized the importance of investing in the Online Safety Commission during his presentation on “Breaking Barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji” at Tanoa Plaza on Tuesday night. He identified social media as a significant barrier hindering women’s involvement in politics.
Apted remarked that the influence of traditional media has diminished, with social media now taking the forefront. He expressed concern over the harsh, sexist, and damaging nature of social media in Fiji, particularly towards women and LGBTQ+ individuals, who often suffer from public attacks and scrutiny.
He noted the widespread use of platforms, such as Chat Fiji, where personal and private images are shared without consent, creating a hostile environment that discourages women from entering public life. While legislation exists to hold perpetrators accountable, Apted pointed out that the government has not allocated resources to enforce these laws effectively.
He called for increased funding, personnel, and public awareness initiatives to enhance online safety, stressing that this is essential for empowering women to participate in public spheres. He encouraged women to voice their concerns to the government to advocate for necessary investments in this critical area.