Concerns raised on rapid increase in technologically facilitated gender based violence against women

The use of technology facilitated gender-based violence is a concerning trend for women in Fiji.

While speaking during the Fijian Media Association’s Women In Media organised International Women’s Day event at Harbour Point Convention Centre in Lami, Executive Director for Femlink Pacific, Fay Volatabu says women continue to endure cyber-bullying where explicit photos are shared on social media.

She says women also continue to be degraded through these online attacks.

Volatabu says women should not shy away from this and create a safe space with their professional colleagues and share their experiences.

She says online abuse is now part of the overall spectrum that needs to be solved by the women in media because it is essential to reflect the power of women in media.

Other panelists included Acting Commissioner of the Online Safety Commission Tajeshwari Devi, Department of Women's Reijieli Mawa, Women in Media PNG representative Belinda Kora and Media Association of the Solomon Islands representative, Georgina Kekea.

Devi shared that they receive a lot of complaints regarding personal images being shared.

She also says issues regarding control of mobile devices by a second party is a growing concern for the Online Safety Commission because it has caused violence in homes and relationships.