By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Tarr Town, Old Road, Montserrado – November 25, 2025 — ActionAid Liberia (AAL) has officially kicked off activities marking the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, with a strong call for an end to digital violence and the growing normalization of online abuse against women and girls in Liberia.
Speaking during the launch, Winet Satue of ActionAid Liberia’s Programs Department emphasized that the organization—after more than 25 years of work in human rights, gender justice, and poverty reduction—remains committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized groups, especially women and girls. She noted that AAL’s advocacy is rooted in building stronger networks and movements across the country.
This year, ActionAid Liberia is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, as well as several women’s rights and civil society groups, including the Female Journalists Association of Liberia, County Rural Women Structures, the National FGM Working Group, and implementing partners such as Doma Feign, NATPAH, LIWEN, SAIL, and WOCDAL.
The global theme for the 2025 commemoration is “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” while Liberia observes the national theme “Unite to End Violence: Protecting All Women and Children in Our Communities and Digital Spaces.”
According to AAL, the primary objective of this year’s campaign is to empower young women, youth, and persons with disabilities with essential knowledge on cyberbullying, cybersecurity, digital protection, and online safety tools. The campaign also aims to build confidence among young women using digital spaces and to strengthen reporting mechanisms for online abuse.
“We are engaging men and boys as allies, promoting positive masculinity, and strengthening coordination among youth groups, women’s rights organizations, and government institutions to sustain advocacy beyond these 16 days,” AAL noted.
AAL joined the Ministry of Gender for the national launch of the 16 Days of Activism, while simultaneously rolling out its Digital Campaign Against Online Abuse across social media using infographics, short videos, and storytelling.
No November 27–28, AAL will host a Young Urban Women’s Movement capacity-building training, bringing together 100 young women to strengthen feminist movement-building, deepen understanding of gender-responsive public services, and explore feminist macroeconomic alternatives.
December 5 & 10, the organization will conduct a Digital Awareness Session with 100 young people, followed by a Regional Webinar on Digital Safety, featuring ActionAid chapters from Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Ghana.
AAL expressed concern over the alarming increase in violence nationwide. The Ministry of Gender has documented over 3,500 cases of abuse—most affecting women, girls, and children. The organization stressed that addressing domestic violence, rape, digital harassment, and online bullying requires strong collective action.
ActionAid also referenced new UN Women data showing that: 38% of women worldwide have experienced digital abuse, 85% of online users have witnessed online violence, and 98% of deepfake pornography targets women without their consent.
“This data reflects a deeply gendered pattern of online harm,” AAL stated. “Liberia is no exception, as we continue to see a troubling rise in digital violence that is becoming normalized. This must stop.”
ActionAid Liberia reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of women and girls everywhere—whether online, in communities, schools, workplaces, or public spaces. The organization urged citizens, policymakers, activists, and community leaders to unite and reject all forms of violence.
“Any of us—or someone we know—could be the next victim,” AAL warned. “It is time for everyone to join the campaign and say no to digital violence.”
