Fiji Urged to Educate on Online Violence in Schools

Shamima Ali, the co-ordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), emphasizes the urgent need to incorporate education on online exploitation and technology-facilitated violence against women into Fiji’s school curriculum. Speaking to The Fiji Times, she highlighted the significant lack of awareness surrounding these issues, especially in schools located on maritime islands.

Ali asserts that while Fiji is advancing in technology, many individuals, particularly from rural and isolated communities, are being left behind without proper education on potential dangers. She believes that awareness of technology’s implications, both positive and negative, must be integrated into the education system to ensure that students are informed about the risks of misuse and abuse of technology.

“The need for awareness is critical across all areas—urban, rural, and maritime. Many people lack access to information, which further exacerbates the issue,” Ali stated. Her calls for community awareness have already included discussions about technology-facilitated violence in rural outreach efforts.

She argues that the government has typically responded to issues of violence against women and children hastily, often opting for blanket bans on social media instead of engaging experts to provide guidance on effective solutions. She advocates for a more intelligent and calm discourse to address the complexities of these issues and to promote collective responsibility in education and awareness across society.

In summary, Shamima Ali is urging for a fundamental change in Fiji’s educational approach to include critical discussions on technology-related violence and exploitation, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive awareness to protect women and girls from modern-day challenges.

This perspective promotes not just awareness, but also hope for a future where education empowers citizens to navigate technology safely and responsibly. The implementation of these ideas could pave the way for a more informed and resilient society that can effectively combat gender-based violence.