By: Mohamed Sahr
Over thirty-nine (39) women’s groups in Sierra Leone have admitted the recent gender insensitive remarks on social media against eminent Sierra Leonean women including elected female Members of Parliament by a diaspora in a fashion of disturbing the peace of the country. This was updated in a press release on Thursday 24th August 2023.
It was noted that alleged Dr. Idriss Lahai, a Sierra Leonean based in Europe used social media as a vehicle in fanning the flames of disrespect and attacking women of their self-confidence and esteemed.
The press statement mentioned that allegedly Dr. Idriss Lahai posted pictures with comments and tagging the First Lady Madam Fatima Bio’s facial features portraying her age and slurring of her past life as a movie actress. “These are all unwelcoming for our society’s strides to elevate the collective psyche of our women,” It emphasized.
Going forward, the press release admitted that the derogatory remarks echoed cyber-bullying against women in order to stifle their voices.
Groups like Women’s Forum Sierra Leone, Women in the Media Sierra Leone, 50/50 Western Rural, Women and Girls Initiative, Accord 97, Mano River Women’s Peace Network, Women and Sports Commission among others called on leaders and citizens to focus on pertinent issues and work collective to find common ground through respectful dialogue.