Empowering Women in the Digital Era

The Women in Media Fiji organised a panel discussion to commemorate International Women’s Day at Harbour Point in Lami on Thursday.

The discussion recognised the growing number of women who have faced gender based violence instigated through the internet or online.

The topic discussed was “Empowering Women in the Digital Era; Combating Technology-Facilitated GBV”.

The Acting Online Safety Commissioner Tajeshwari Devi echoed the important role media plays in creating awareness surrounding technology facilitated gender based violence in Fiji.

“You are the most powerful people in Fiji because you are the media,” Ms Devi said.

“Use your power to educate the people of Fiji especially women and children to know what they need to be doing in the case of being exposed to Technology Facilitated GBV.

Devi said that they receive plenty of complaints regarding personal images shared around, scams that women have given money for and amongst other things.

She also shared that domestic issues regarding control of mobile devices by a second party is a growing concern for her department because it has caused violence in homes and relationships.

“Ever since the inception of the online safety commission, we have received a lot of complaints of which 61 per cent were lodged by the women.

“The age range of women reporting at 25 years and above.

“Their partners threaten to share their explicit content and we have received complaints where the women’s explicit images were circulated on the social media platforms.

“Last year there was an increase in reports due to online scams.

“The new challenge we face is the compromised private account scam on Viber and Whatsapp because people are sharing their password and codes with the perpetrators,” she said.

FemLink Pacific executive director Fay Volatabu and Reijieli Mawa of the Department of Women also shared the same sentiment.

Ms Volatabu said technology instigated violence is a huge concern for Fiji in an age where people of all ages have access to the internet.

Deputy Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, Clare McNamara said that these crimes are rife everywhere and education and awareness is a huge need.

She also said that the male counterparts also face gender based violence in this growing digital age.

“We need to explore the ways to protect the rights of women and girls and address them.

“Boys need to be given a lot of attention too in regards to these violent crimes just as much as girls,” Ms McNamara said.

“The suicide rates of boys is growing and this is a concern.

“It starts from home and the workplace “With the help of the resources available to us and the policies that have been set up to address gender based violence, these policies need to be implemented,” she said.

The discussion saw close to 100 women gather to learn and discuss the pressing issue of technology facilitated gender based violence.

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