Safeguarding Women Online: Experts Urge Stronger Policies for Digital Rights
March 11, 2024 – As Liberia’s digital landscape continues to evolve, women face increasing threats and barriers online. Addressing these challenges was the focus of the National Stakeholders’ Forum on Women’s Online/Digital Rights, hosted by the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP) in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
The Executive Director of the Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding CEMESP Malcolm Joseph providing an overview of the forum said, women in Liberia like many parts of the world are frequently subjected to cyber bulling, threats, and name calling particularly targeting women who are active in public life. He said the forum also aimed at reducing the incidents of online harassment against women, and increase the use of digital tools.
Peterking Quaye, Regional Executive Director of the West Africa ICT Action Network (WAICTANet), delivered a key presentation on “Women’s Rights Online in Liberia: Policy Gaps and Recommendations.” He emphasized the urgent need for Liberia to strengthen its cybersecurity framework to safeguard women from online abuse and digital gender-based violence.
As a Research Consultant for the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Quaye presented key findings from the 2023 research titled “Women’s Rights Online in Liberia: Policy Gaps and Recommendations.” The study highlighted the significant challenges Liberian women face in accessing and utilizing digital platforms safely and effectively. The research highlighted key challenges, including Liberia’s lack of comprehensive cyber laws addressing online gender-based violence and digital rights protections for women, limited digital literacy among women, especially in rural areas, difficulties in reporting digital abuse due to unclear mechanisms and inadequate law enforcement capacity, and socioeconomic disparities that hinder women’s access to digital opportunities for education and entrepreneurship.
The forum was officially opened with an address delivered by Chief Information Officer Sheik sheriff on behalf of Liberia’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Sekou Kromah. In his remarks, he emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening digital policies that protect and empower women in online spaces. Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando in a special statement highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gender gap digital divide and ensure women’s full participation in the digital economy.Women’s rights Consultant Delphine Morris, representing the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Gbeme Horace Kellie, also delivered a statement at the forum.
The forum addressed key issues, including the need for robust cyber laws to combat cyberstalking, online harassment, and identity theft; the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications’ announcement of Liberia’s first national cybersecurity strategy and a forensic laboratory for cybercrime investigations; the emphasis on closing the gender digital divide and promoting women’s leadership in cybersecurity policymaking by Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando; and the rise in internet users from 1.65 million in 2024 to 1.84 million in early 2025, highlighting the urgency of strengthening digital rights protections.
WAICTANet and other stakeholders called for stronger cyber laws criminalizing digital gender-based violence, expanded digital literacy programs for women and girls, increased internet access with secure digital spaces, and greater women’s leadership in cybersecurity policymaking. “Women must be at the center of Liberia’s cybersecurity policies—not as afterthoughts, but as leaders in shaping our digital future,” Quaye stated.
