A cabinet minister has spoken out against the illegal circulation of a private video following comments from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who indicated he had requested an explanation from her regarding the incident. Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, described the footage as a private exchange between her and her husband that has been taken out of context.
Ms. Tabuya characterized the sharing of the video as a form of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, highlighting the alarming reality faced by two-thirds of women and girls in Fiji who experience online violence when private images are disseminated without consent. She emphasized the need to put an end to such violations if there is a genuine commitment to eradicating violence against women and girls.
She pointed out that the actual crime is the unauthorized acquisition and distribution of the video. “Individuals and organizations that circulate such content and label it a scandal are advancing the cause of online violence,” she stated, bringing attention to the issue of sextortion and revenge porn that women endure daily.
Tabuya further noted that female leaders tend to be disproportionately targeted online, suffering attacks at rates ten times higher than their male counterparts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. She urged the Fiji Media Council to uphold ethical reporting standards, warning that media outlets perpetuating this violence only exacerbate the issue.
The minister cautioned that anyone sharing the video is committing a legal offense and will be held accountable. A police complaint has been initiated against an individual identified as distributing the footage, based on breaches of the Online Safety Act and the Crimes Act.
In response to media inquiries, Prime Minister Rabuka confirmed that he had sent a letter to Ms. Tabuya the morning prior, seeking clarification but refrained from commenting on any disciplinary measures.
This situation shines a light on the ongoing challenges of online privacy and safety, especially for women in public life. It’s critical for society to stand against such invasions of privacy and support individuals facing gender-based violence, not just online but in all aspects of life. There is hope that through dialogue and legal action, such issues can be addressed effectively, paving the way for a safer environment for everyone.
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