FIJI’S online environment has become increasingly unsafe for women and girls, says Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran.
She said the Online Safety Commission reported that women made up over 60 per cent of all online abuse complaints.
“A 2024 Commission report further revealed that 22 per cent of Fijian women are frequent targets of image-based abuse and 30 per cent experience defamatory online attacks, often from fake accounts,” Ms Kiran said.
“With over 86 per cent of Fiji’s adult population using social media, online platforms such as Facebook and TikTok are increasingly misused to spread misinformation, manipulate images, including through AI, and cause reputational harm.”
While delivering the opening address at the Young Women’s Forum on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), she emphasised the urgency of addressing online harm, saying Fiji’s digital landscape has rapidly expanded.
“Now in its second year, the forum brings together 51 young women from across the four divisions — comprising Year 13 students, tertiary students, young graduates and young professionals.
“The forum provides a safe and inclusive platform to discuss the rising risks and impacts of TFGBV, including online harassment, cyberstalking, hate speech, and non-consensual image sharing.”
Ms Kiran said TFGBV was formally recognised within Fiji’s Service Delivery Protocol for Gender-Based Violence and the Fiji National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against All Women and Girls (2023–2028).
“The forum’s 2025 program introduces a youth-led review of the Online Safety Act, enabling participants to discuss the strengths and gaps within the legislation and contribute recommendations to strengthen its implementation.
“Australian deputy high commissioner Ms Clair McNamara and UNFPA Pacific director and representative Ms Bidisha Pillai were present at the opening, reaffirming their commitment to advancing the rights and safety of women and girls in digital and physical spaces.”
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, in partnership with UNFPA and with the support of the Australian High Commission, has conducted a two-day workshop held as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Ms Kiran said the initiative aimed to engage young women in conversations about technology-facilitated gender-based violence, its impacts, and the support systems available to them.
