10/12/2025
ZONTA Club Of Freetown Says Unite To End Digital Violence Against Women And Girls
, District 18, joins global and national actors of women’s and girls’ rights on the theme for 2025 , UNITE TO END DIGITAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS.
Digital technology has opened new pathways for learning, leadership and connection, but it has also become a frontline for gender-based violence. Women and girls of all ages and backgrounds now face cyber harassment, stalking, image-based abuse and online threats that can destroy reputations, erode confidence and spill over into physical harm, undermining decades of progress on women’s empowerment. ZONTA Club of Freetown calls on the Government of Sierra Leone to develop and implement a law, or amend the existing libel law, to regulate proper use of the cyber space and prevent its misuse by the publication of material and/or information that damages the reputation or character of women, men, boys and girls with the intention of intimidating them in the pursuit of their rights as citizens, and as public or private individuals.
ZONTA Club of Freetown takes this opportunity to applaud the Government of Sierra Leone on the great strides made to increase access to education for women and girls. We note however some challenges in the education system and its wider environment that has the potential of eroding this investment; and would draw government’s attention to two of them: -
A large number of young girls roam the streets of Freetown hawking goods (mainly food items) from morning to evenings, unsupervised, without any parental presence. This increases their risk to sexual and gender based violence. It also negates the huge investment made by Government in their education. ZONTA calls on the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare to create awareness on the issue and develop guidelines to protect the rights of children to education and non- exploitation. Children of school going age should not be on the street hawking goods during school hours or alone on the streets selling after school hours.
A practice that has become common in the school system from primary to university level is the camping of students to prepare for examinations. The Government is requested to look into the possibility of abuse of especially female students, away from home and in unregulated environments.
ZONTA Club of Freetown is committed to working with the Government to raise awareness and knowledge and asks all partners to raise awareness, strengthen protections and advance the rights of women and girls—online and offline. Together, Zonta Says NO and invites all Sierra Leoneans to UNITE TO END DIGITAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS.
