The government must allocate funds to the Online Safety Commission. This call to action was made by John Apted, a litigation partner at Munroe Ley Lawyers, during a discussion on “Breaking Barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji” at Tanoa Plaza on Tuesday evening.
Apted emphasized that social media poses significant challenges to women’s involvement in politics. He noted, “The media has less power than it once did; social media is where the real action occurs,” highlighting the harmful environment of Fiji’s social media landscape, which he described as cruel and sexist, particularly targeting women and the LGBTQ+ community.
He pointed out that platforms like Chat Fiji often perpetuate this issue by sharing personal and intimate images without consent, creating a daunting atmosphere for women considering entering the political realm. Despite existing laws aimed at holding offenders accountable, Apted criticized the lack of government investment in enforcing these regulations.
“There needs to be a budget, personnel, and public awareness regarding online safety,” he stated, underlining the urgency of the situation for empowering women in public life. Apted urged women to voice their concerns to the government and advocate for investments in online safety measures to enhance their confidence in participating in politics.