Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Lynda Tabuya has co-chaired the first National Taskforce to address pornography in Fiji with Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Communications, Manoa Kamikamica.
Fiji is in the top 10 in the list of countries with the highest number of internet searches in pornography.
An unnamed internet provider in Fiji provided information that showed 626.13 terabytes of internet traffic was used to view pornography in Fiji in Quarter 3, 2023.
626.13 terabytes is equal to data stored in 100 million books.
The taskforce approved by cabinet is to address the proliferation of pornographic content and its impact on society as well as the pressing issue of online child sexual exploitation and abuse. This first significant meeting brought together key stakeholders from government, private sector, civil society organizations, and faith-based organizations.
Tabuya emphasized the importance of a united front in the fight against online exploitation and stated that the meeting marks a pivotal step in their commitment to safeguarding our children from the dangers of online pornography.
SPC Principal Strategic Lead Pacific Women and Girls, Mereseini Rakuita says the taskforce is important, along with the role of the government, regulators, policies and commitments in addressing pornography in Fiji, and potentially across the Pacific.
The yearly income of the porn industry worldwide is close to $97 billion.
The taskforce looked into efforts to develop comprehensive strategies to combat the impacts of pornography and illegal content, especially protecting our children in the digital space.
They will also look at effective ways to raise awareness on the responsible use of social media and the internet.
The taskforce says through collaboration and cooperation, they can create the whole-of-nation approach to safeguarding the well-being of all Fijians and promote a healthier society.
