Online abuse threatens women’s political participation
Source: FBC News
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is increasingly being identified as a barrier to women’s participation in Fiji’s political stage.
Minister for Women Sashi Kiran says digital platforms that should support democratic participation are instead being used to intimidate women.
“Increasingly, these attacks have moved online. And digital platforms should be tools for democracy. Instead, they are being weaponised.”
Kiran says there is a clear difference between political debate and abuse.
“Robust debate and political disagreement are part of democracy. Threats, sexualized abuse, and targeted harassment are not.”
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is increasingly being identified as a barrier to women’s participation in Fiji’s political stage.
Minister for Women Sashi Kiran says digital platforms that should support democratic participation are instead being used to intimidate women.
“Increasingly, these attacks have moved online. And digital platforms should be tools for democracy. Instead, they are being weaponised.”
Kiran says there is a clear difference between political debate and abuse.
“Robust debate and political disagreement are part of democracy. Threats, sexualized abuse, and targeted harassment are not.”