A National Taskforce to Tackle Pornography in Fiji has convened for the first time, under the leadership of Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica, along with Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya.
Established with Cabinet approval earlier this year, the Taskforce assembled essential stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society organizations, and faith-based groups to confront the growing issue of pornographic content and its societal impacts, particularly concerning online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
During the meeting, Minister Tabuya emphasized the necessity of a united approach in combating online exploitation, stating that this gathering represents a significant commitment to protecting children from the threats posed by online pornography.
Mereseini Rakuita, Principal Strategic Lead – Pacific Women and Girls at SPC, noted the importance of the taskforce alongside the government’s role in addressing pornography in Fiji and potentially throughout the Pacific region.
The global pornography industry generates nearly $97 billion annually. According to an unnamed internet provider, Fiji ranks among the top ten countries for the highest volume of internet searches related to pornography. In the third quarter of 2023, it was reported that Fiji recorded 626.13 terabytes of internet traffic dedicated to viewing pornography, an amount comparable to the data contained in 100 million books.
The NTAP Fiji meeting included diverse stakeholders working towards developing comprehensive strategies to mitigate the effects of pornography and illegal content, with a strong focus on safeguarding children in the digital environment. The taskforce will also explore effective methods for promoting responsible social media and internet use.
Through collaboration, this taskforce aims to foster a nationwide effort to ensure the well-being of all Fijians and to encourage a healthier society.