The Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), with funding support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, held an advocacy meeting on 27 January 2026 with 15 media and rights activists. The meeting aimed to identify digital rights issues affecting women in Sierra Leone and propose actionable recommendations as part of MRCG’s ongoing project, “Enhancing Press Freedom, Women’s Rights, and Accountability Governance in Sierra Leone.”
Digital rights issues are challenges that affect how people access, use, and are protected in digital spaces such as the internet, social media, mobile networks, and other digital platforms. These issues relate to the application of human rights online and are crucial because they impact included Freedom of speech and access to information, Education and employment opportunities, Personal safety and privacy and social inclusion and equality.
Over the years, MRCG has collaborated with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, to implement projects focusing on women’s rights online and media freedom in Sierra Leone. Between 2020 and 2024, activities included:
Forums on media professionalism and journalists’ safety. Digital literacy programs addressing online issues related to women’s rights for female journalists and activists across all regions of Sierra Leone
MRCG also produced key reports including Women’s Rights Online in Sierra Leone: Policy Gaps and Recommendations for Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment. Annual Women’s Rights Online Report examining gendered disinformation. State of Media Freedom Reports for Sierra Leone investigating freedom of expression issues
These reports highlighted significant challenges to press freedom and digital rights, particularly for women, and proposed targeted interventions to address them.
The advocacy meeting included representatives from Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), Media Matters for Women, Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU), Center for Accountability and the Rule of Law (CARL), Liberty Online TV, Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ), Campaign of Good Governance (CGG), Sierra Leone Broadcasters Association (SiLBA) and Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL). Hawanatu Konneh Network (HKN) Faculty of Communication Media and Information Studies (FCMIS). Media Initiatives for Women and Girls Empowerment (MIWGEM).
During the discussions, participants raised concerns about several digital rights issues affecting women: Mental and Emotional Harm Women experience anxiety and fear online.
Violence and Harassment Includes online bullying, name-calling, and cases where women are also perpetrators. Family Pressure Pressure from family members can worsen online challenges. Low Digital Literacy Significant gaps exist in women’s ability to access and use technology effectively. Privacy Violations: Sharing private images without consent is a major concern. Inadequate Cybersecurity Laws Existing laws are not specific enough to protect women; there is also a “trust deficit” regarding enforcement.
Professional Vulnerabilities Legal frameworks often fail to protect women from unauthorized recordings in workplaces. Social and Religious Pressures Cultural and religious expectations influence online interactions. Digital Gender Divide: Unequal access to digital tools and resources persists.
Digital Education and Skills Training
Implement courses to equip women with essential digital skills. Legal and Policy Reforms. Strengthen laws specifically to protect women’s digital rights. Ensure effective implementation of existing laws. Seed up the enactment of the Data Protection Law. Emotional Resilience Building: Rights groups should provide training and support to help women build emotional resilience when using online platforms.
Research and Data Collection. Commission studies or surveys to better understand women’s digital access and challenges. Establishment of Reporting Mechanisms. Create accessible, trustworthy systems for monitoring and reporting digital rights violations against women, community engagement. Organize listening sessions and focus group discussions with grassroots women, such as market women, to understand their unique challenges.
Advocacy and Awareness: Encourage the use of social media hashtags such as #WomenSpeakOnline and #WomenVoicesMatter to raise awareness and support for women’s digital rights.