The National Taskforce to Address Pornography held its second meeting this week, where it focused on developing proposed regulations aimed at preventing children aged 17 and under from accessing pornography. Co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communications Manoa Kamikamica, the meeting highlighted the urgent need to tackle the harmful impacts of pornography on young individuals.
Participants from the Ministry for Women, Children, and Social Protection, alongside Dr. Leigh-Ashley, UNFPA’s chief gender advisor, reviewed the Gender Analysis of the Online Safety Act. Additionally, Director of Children Arieta Tagivetaua presented on the criminal aspects of creating, possessing, and distributing child pornography as outlined in the Child Care and Protection Act 2024.
The agenda covered crucial topics such as the formulation of measures to restrict children’s access to pornographic material, strategies to decrease overall pornography consumption, and insights from three specialized working groups focusing on policy legislation, support for survivors, and technological interventions.
The taskforce also benefited from Australia’s experiences in combating pornography, allowing them to draw valuable lessons. Discussions emphasized identifying shortcomings in the existing legal framework and establishing robust policies and support systems for survivors of abuse related to pornography.
The meeting reinforced a unified commitment among all stakeholders to protect children and foster a safer online environment, underlining the importance of collective efforts in addressing this pressing issue.
The commitment shown by the task force is encouraging, as it suggests a proactive approach to safeguarding children. By focusing on both preventive measures and survivor support, they are working towards creating a more secure digital landscape for the younger generation.
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