-As Liberia Launches 16Days of Activism
MONROVIA – A wave of condemnation against digital violence, coupled with a demand for concrete budgetary action, dominated the launch of Liberia’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, as women from all sectors declared that the online world has become a new, unregulated battleground for harassment and shame.
By Jerromie S. Walters & Vaye A. Lepolu
Under the global theme “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” the event transformed from a traditional advocacy platform into an urgent demand for protection in the digital age. While the call for sustainable government funding to combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remained critical, the visceral testimonies of women experiencing online abuse gave the gathering a new and pressing focus.
“People take our pictures without consent, post them on Facebook, and embarrass us. It’s hurting, and women deserve better,” local businesswoman Musu P. Lapalleh stated. She connected the struggle for economic empowerment to the violation of digital dignity, lamenting, “We fight to go up, but the support is not there. When it comes to women, people don’t support us.”
Her sentiment was echoed by Finda M. Fatorma of the Forestry Development Authority, who highlighted the link between offline impunity and online crimes. “People take pictures and videos without consent just to damage reputations. This must stop,” Fatorma stressed. “There are policies against SGBV and digital abuse, and anyone who violates them should face the consequences.”
A National Emergency Demands a National Budget:
The palpable anger over digital violence was channeled into a concrete political demand: the inclusion of specific SGBV funding in the 2026 national budget. Madam Juli Endee, Executive Director of Crusaders for Peace, issued a passionate appeal, framing the issue as a matter of national priority and self-reliance.
“For 31 years, we have been saying ‘no money.’ But SGBV is a national emergency. We cannot continue with excuses,” Endee declared before a gathering that included the Legislature, Ministry of Gender, diplomats, and survivors. “There should be money in the budget for prevention, for medical care, for psychosocial support, for justice. I prophesy today that the 2026 national budget will include funding for SGBV response.”
She directly addressed the theme, warning, “You do not have the right to take my picture and post it online without my consent. Digital violence is real. It destroys people mentally and socially,” and called on the government to criminalize online abuse and require technology companies to implement stronger protection measures. The women presented a stark picture of how digital abuse manifests and is exacerbated by a weak systemic response. Jacqueline K. Roberts, another participant, cited specific incidents of cyberbullying that have gone unpunished.
“We saw a young girl being mocked for dancing at a beach, and another child was bullied online over her appearance. This is wrong,” Roberts said. “Women should stand for one another, not tear each other down.” She advised women to carry themselves with confidence and dignity, noting that their presentation influences the respect they receive. Fatorma pointed to the societal double standards that digital violence exploits. “Society often judges women harshly for simply having fun,” she observed, emphasizing that the burden to be cautious should not fall solely on women, but on a justice system that holds perpetrators accountable.
Beyond funding, speakers stressed that overcoming SGBV and its digital frontier requires breaking down silos. Endee called for stronger coordination among government institutions, the police, and civil society, arguing that fragmented efforts have crippled the national response. While the EU Ambassador and UN Resident Coordinator reaffirmed their institutions’ commitment to supporting Liberia’s fight, the day’s resounding message was that the primary responsibility for protection lies with the Liberian government.
The Overlooked Violence:
Digital and online abuse against women in Africa, including Liberia, is a critical and growing issue characterized by various forms of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV). This abuse includes cyberstalking, cyberbullying, hate speech, unsolicited sexually explicit content, deepfakes, doxing, and online harassment, all of which undermine women’s digital rights and silence their voices in public and online spaces.
In Liberia specifically, online abuse often targets women active in public life, including threats and cyberbullying, amidst significant gaps in legal protections and digital literacy among women, especially in rural areas. Research shows that Women in Africa face increasing digital violence that not only harms their mental and psychological well-being but also restricts their participation in digital and public spaces.
Studies suggest show many women have experienced online abuse firsthand, with some countries reporting personal experience rates close to 38% or higher. This abuse reinforces existing gender inequalities and contributes to a widening digital gender divide by discouraging women from engaging online and silencing critical voices. The lack of comprehensive cyber laws and legal awareness exacerbates the vulnerability of women to digital harassment and abuse across the continent.
Reports from Liberia highlight that women are frequently subjected to cyberbullying, threats, and name-calling, particularly those involved in public life. The main challenges include insufficient cyber legislation addressing digital gender-based violence, limited mechanisms for reporting abuse, and weak law enforcement capacity.
