The government should focus on investing in the Online Safety Commission, according to John Apted, a litigation partner at Munroe Ley Lawyers. He addressed this issue during the event titled “Breaking Barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji,” held at Tanoa Plaza on Tuesday evening.
Apted highlighted that social media poses significant challenges for women aspiring to enter politics. He noted, “The media is much less powerful now than it used to be, the reality is the action is all on social media.” He emphasized the harshness of Fiji’s social media landscape, which he described as cruel and sexist, particularly targeting women and the LGBTQ+ community.
He pointed out that platforms like Chat Fiji often lead to the public sharing of personal and intimate images, creating a hostile environment that discourages women from participating in public life. Despite existing legislation aimed at holding offenders accountable, Apted criticized the lack of government investment to enforce these laws effectively.
“Online Safety in terms of providing budget, personnel, public awareness, and so on is essential,” he stated. He urged the government to prioritize this area to empower women to engage more confidently in public roles. Apted encouraged women to voice their concerns to the government and advocate for increased investment in online safety measures to facilitate their entry into politics.