During the recent Pacific Media Partnership Conference, the Minister for Women, Sashi Kiran, emphasized the critical role of media in revising the portrayal of women in leadership roles. She urged that the focus should extend beyond merely celebrating female achievements to portraying women as impactful decision-makers. Kiran highlighted that Fiji currently experiences one of the lowest rates of women’s representation in government, bringing attention to the need for media outlets to showcase female leaders and their contributions more prominently.
Kiran raised an important point, questioning how the media can project women’s leadership authentically. She noted that while many recognize the efforts of various women leaders and NGO figures, the media often prioritizes male political leaders in its coverage, neglecting to highlight women’s roles in governance and decision-making.
In her address, she also brought attention to the alarming issue of online harassment against women, advocating for stricter laws and improved enforcement. Kiran pointed out that the Online Safety Commission is working towards developing more comprehensive regulations to address this concern. She stressed the necessity for accountability in cases of harassment and the urgency to combat the normalization of abuse in both digital and social environments.
Kiran called for a cultural shift in how society treats and respects women, especially those in leadership positions. She urged for collective responsibility, highlighting that the behavior exhibited on social media reflects broader societal values and attitudes. By fostering respect at all levels, from families to communities and online platforms, meaningful change can be achieved.
This call for a change is hopeful; as more discussions around these topics surface, it may lead to greater awareness and ultimately, action towards enhancing women’s visibility and safety in all spheres of life.
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