Ministry of Gender and other Confront Digital Violence Against Women.

In a powerful collective stand against the growing threat of online abuse, national leaders and international partners convened at the University of Makeni. The high-level awareness event, part of the annual 16 Days of Activism, centered on the urgent global theme: “UNITE! End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”

The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, supported by the Embassy of Iceland, UN Women, UNFPA, and the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center (NC3), brought together students, academics, and local officials to forge a path toward safer digital spaces.

Ms. Mary Hawa Turay, Manager of the University of Makeni’s Gender and Career Counseling Resource Center, set a firm tone. She detailed the university’s unwavering commitment to a campus environment free from harassment, abuse, and sexual violence. Ms. Turay showcased the Resource Center’s progress and thanked partners for their critical support in the fight to end gender-based violence.

Echoing this commitment, Bombali District Council Chairman Dr. Mohamed MB Sisay praised the campaign’s relevance. He declared a zero-tolerance policy for all violence whether physical or digital against women and children. Dr. Sisay reaffirmed the Council’s dedication to improving local reporting systems, supporting survivors, and advancing digital safety across the district.

Mr. Victor Sesay of the NC3 clarified the agency’s role in safeguarding all citizens online. He stressed that cyberbullying, harassment, and identity theft are intolerable offenses. Encouraging prompt reporting, he assured the audience of NC3’s accessibility and responsiveness. “Our digital spaces must be platforms for positive growth, not war zones,” Mr. Sesay stated.

The UN Women Representative highlighted the alarming rate at which digital violence is spreading, noting its silencing effect on women and girls, and issued a direct charge to the students in attendance as future leaders. She urged them to voice opposition to online abuse, actively support survivors, and exemplify respectful behavior in all digital interactions.

She further called on universities to implement specific campus protocols and to partner with technology companies on robust safety measures. Highlighting the essential role of inclusion, she pointed to the Real Man Campaign, which mobilizes men and boys as allies to challenge harmful norms and promote equality.

The Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs presented compelling national data underscoring the severity of the crisis, revealing that Sierra Leone’s 116 Hotline recorded over 183,000 calls related to sexual and gender-based violence between 2023 and 2025, while more than 3,000 cases were handled at One-Stop Centers nationwide during the same period. “These numbers represent real lives, real pain,” the Minister emphasized. “They are why our solidarity and action during these 16 Days are non-negotiable.”

She outlined the country's pioneering legal framework designed to combat these crimes, highlighting the Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Act (2021) which explicitly criminalizes cyber harassment and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, alongside the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (2022) that comprehensively protects women’s rights, mandates 30% representation in leadership, and ensures protection both online and offline. “The law is clear,” the Minister asserted. “Digital violence is not just wrong; it is a punishable offense.”

Concluding with a resonant message to the student body, the Minister reframed their role: “You are far more than mere consumers of technology—you are the active shapers of our digital culture. We must all work to build online spaces founded on respect, dignity, and empowerment for everyone.”

The summit reinforced a unified national resolve, combining legal authority, institutional action, and cultural change to eradicate digital violence and ensure a safer, more equitable future for all Sierra Leoneans.

Correspondent: Kelvin Mark Kargbo,

MoGCA Comms Unit

Email:mkelson367@gmail.com