Apenisa Waqairadovu 
[Photo: File]
Women’s Minister Sashi Kiran has joined many other Fijians in condemning a social media video allegedly mocking sign language and members of the Deaf community.
A few days ago, some students of a tertiary institution took video recording of themselves mocking sign language.
Kiran says sign language is an important form of communication, culture and identity, and should never be used for entertainment or ridicule.
She says incidents like this reinforce harmful attitudes towards people with disabilities and undermine efforts to build a more inclusive Fiji.
The Minister is urging the students involved and their institution to reflect on the impact of the video and use the incident as an opportunity for education and accountability.
She is also calling on educational institutions to strengthen disability awareness and promote greater respect for diversity.
Kiran says social media users, particularly young people, should think about how their content may affect others before recording, posting or sharing it.
She says humour should never come at the expense of another person’s dignity.
