The government must prioritize funding for the Online Safety Commission, according to John Apted, a litigation partner at Munroe Ley Lawyers. Speaking at the event titled ‘Breaking Barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji’ at Tanoa Plaza on Tuesday night, Apted highlighted that social media presents significant challenges for women in politics.
He noted that social media has become a dominant force, overshadowing traditional media. “The media is much less powerful now than it used to be; the action is all on social media,” Apted stated. He pointed out the cruelty and sexism prevalent on Fijian social media platforms, which often target women and the LGBTQ+ community.
Apted mentioned popular platforms like Chat Fiji, where personal and intimate images are often shared without consent, creating an intimidating environment for women. Despite existing legislation designed to hold perpetrators accountable, he criticized the lack of government investment to effectively implement these laws.
He called for urgent attention to online safety, emphasizing the necessity for budget allocations, personnel, and public education. “This is an area that needs urgent attention if women are going to feel more empowered to put themselves out in the public,” he explained.
Apted encouraged women to voice their concerns to the government, advocating for increased investments in online safety to foster a more supportive environment for their participation in politics.