Stakeholders have called for stronger protection and promotion of women’s digital rights in Sierra Leone, with increased public awareness of existing laws, digital literacy, data protection and effective mechanisms for reporting violations.
The call was made on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, at a workshop on Women’s Digital Rights in Sierra Leone, organised by the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) at CCSL in Freetown. The forum brought together representatives from Government, the media, civil society, legal institutions and women’s rights organisations to examine progress, challenges and opportunities for women’s meaningful participation in the digital space.
Representing the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the Director of Government Information and Services, Francess Kafula, stressed that Sierra Leone’s digital transformation cannot be truly inclusive if women participate merely as users without equal protection, representation and opportunities. She emphasised that digital empowerment goes beyond access to mobile phones and the internet to include affordability, digital skills, safety, privacy, economic opportunity and meaningful participation.
She also highlighted growing threats faced by women online, including harassment, cyberstalking, impersonation, threats, blackmail and other forms of technology-facilitated abuse. She warned that online abuse should not be dismissed as “only social media”, noting that digital violence can affect women’s safety, dignity, livelihoods and participation in public affairs.
Panel discussions identified poor network connectivity, high internet costs, traditional gender norms, cyberbullying, blackmail, fear of speaking, limited awareness of legislation and inadequate implementation of laws as major barriers.