22% of women are frequently subjected to image-based abuse and 30 percent are subjected to defamatory comments, further illustrating the gendered nature of technology facilitated gender-based violence issue.
This was revealed by Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya during a panel discussion titled "Digital Gender Divide: Prevention, Regulation, Empowerment" held along the margins of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review.
The panel session aimed to address the pressing issue of technology-facilitated gender-based violence in today's digital age.
Tabuya says while comprehensive data on technology facilitated gender based violence remains limited, further reports from the Online Safety Commission highlight social media platforms, particularly Facebook, as the most reported platform for abuse.
The Minister further says that at the start of 2024, 541,400 internet users aged 18 and above were active on social media, representing 86.7 percent of the adult population.
Tabuya says there were 1.19 million active cellular mobile connections, equivalent to 126.2 percent of the total population, underscoring the prevalence of mobile technology.
She also says that 67.9 percent of Fiji’s total internet user base, regardless of age, engaged with at least one social media platform as of January 2024.
Tabuya highlighted the importance of recognizing both the benefits and challenges that come with technology as it plays an increasingly central role in our lives.
She adds while technology has the power to connect us, drive innovation, and democratize access to information, it also opens up new avenues for abuse and exploitation, particularly when it comes to gender-based violence.
Tabuya says Fiji, like many other countries, is experiencing a rapid rise in digital connectivity.
