The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) has stated that pornography is an extension of violence against women and girls. The FWCC expressed its support for the national dialogue on pornography led by Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, who chairs the National Taskforce to Address Pornography.
The FWCC emphasized that pornography does not exist independently but is intertwined with the patriarchal system in society. They argued that pornography degrades women by reducing them to mere objects for male sexual pleasure and by normalizing them as targets of sexual violence.
The organization highlighted the serious issue of children’s access to explicit content and the negative impressions it creates. They pointed out that child sexual abuse is a significant concern in Fiji, similar to global trends, and this issue is worsened by the ease of accessing pornography. The FWCC acknowledged that the statistics on child sexual abuse material cited by the Deputy Prime Minister are not surprising.
The FWCC called on the government to enhance child protection measures to prioritize the safety of children, especially in digital environments. They stressed the importance of being careful about how children are photographed and shared online and noted that this applies to political leaders as well.
The organization urged the government to align its initiatives with the National Action Plan to Prevent All Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls. The FWCC highlighted that addressing this complex issue requires a comprehensive approach.
They underscored that awareness and education are crucial for transforming mindsets, particularly in educating men about the detrimental effects of pornography and fostering understanding of healthy sexual relationships. The FWCC pledged to advocate for a human rights approach that balances privacy, freedom of expression, security, censorship, and individual liberties.