The Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, has voiced her strong condemnation of a recent social media post that levied allegations against two female Members of Parliament. She stated that such personal attacks against women in public office are unacceptable and demand public denunciation.
In her statement, Ms. Kiran denounced the post, which not only tagged the Leader of the Opposition and opposition parliamentary chambers but also constituted defamatory and derogatory treatment of women in leadership roles. She emphasized that it is crucial for the opposition to renounce such behavior and take steps to have the defamatory content removed.
“Both women MPs are bold and strong individuals who have faced cyberbullying in the past and have come out stronger,” Ms. Kiran commented, calling for an end to personal attacks on social media platforms. She urged users to allow law enforcement to manage these issues rather than taking matters into their own hands.
The Minister highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration among citizens, stressing that efforts should be focused on nation-building instead of resorting to personal abuse. “Our goal should be to confront national issues collectively, support each other during difficult times, and work towards a promising future for Fiji,” she asserted.
Kiran also called for urgent intervention from authorities, specifically urging the Online Safety Commission and the Fiji Police Force’s Cyber Unit to investigate such detrimental posts and hold those responsible accountable. She emphasized the need for vigilance in this regard, urging the media to be careful and responsible when reporting on these sensitive matters.
Lastly, Ms. Kiran pointed out that ongoing attacks like the ones experienced by the MPs discourage women from participating in public life and can ultimately impede progress in achieving gender equality and inclusive leadership within the Fijian political landscape.
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