A National Taskforce aimed at combating pornography in Fiji has convened for the first time, chaired by Acting Prime Minister and Trade Minister Manoa Kamikamica alongside Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya. Formed earlier this year and endorsed by Cabinet, the Taskforce has gathered key stakeholders from government bodies, the private sector, civil society, and faith-based organizations to tackle the growing issue of pornographic content and its societal effects, alongside the urgent concern of online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
During the meeting, Tabuya emphasized the necessity of a unified effort against online exploitation, characterizing the gathering as a significant step towards protecting children from the hazards of online pornography. Mereseini Rakuita, Principal Strategic Lead for Pacific Women and Girls at SPC, underscored the importance of the Taskforce, highlighting the government’s role, regulatory measures, and policies in addressing pornography in Fiji and potentially throughout the Pacific region.
It was noted that the global porn industry generates nearly $97 billion annually. Fiji ranks in the top 10 countries for the highest number of internet searches related to pornography. An unnamed internet service provider revealed that in the third quarter of 2023, Fiji recorded 626.13 terabytes of internet traffic dedicated to viewing pornography, equivalent to the data stored in 100 million books.
The NTAP Fiji meeting aimed to unite stakeholders with diverse expertise to develop comprehensive strategies to combat the ramifications of pornography and illegal content, particularly focusing on the protection of children in the digital realm. The Taskforce intends to explore effective methods for promoting responsible use of social media and the internet.
By fostering collaboration and cooperation, this initiative aspires to establish a nationwide strategy to ensure the wellbeing of all Fijians and to cultivate a healthier society.