The Tamaraneh Organisation, in Partnership with Forum against Harmful Practices, on Thursday convened a high-level stakeholder’s engagement as part of activities marking the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The meeting, sponsored by Irish Aid, brought together the three community heads from Lumpa, Maboreh and Cole Town Communities, alongside women’s groups, youth leaders, pupils and students to advocate for digital safety and zero Female Genital Mutilation.
The gathering aimed to raise awareness on the urgent need to ensure safer digital spaces for women and girls, an issue that has become increasingly critical with the rise of online harassment, cyberbullying, and exploitation.
Addressing participants, Guest Speaker an invited ICT professional, Mohamed Wusha-Conteh emphasised that creating a secure digital environment requires a united front. He urged community leaders, parents, youth, and civil society stakeholders to “put hands on deck” to protect women and girls from digital threats. He stated that online abuse is not just a technological problem but also a social issue that demands collective responsibility.
The ICT expert Wusha-Conteh outlined key preventive measures to help women and girls stay safe online, including practicing strong password protection and enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding the sharing of sensitive personal information on social media, reporting suspicious messages, fake accounts, and online harassment and encouraging open conversations about digital risks within families and community groups.
In her remarks, National Coordinator Tamaraneh Organisation, Salamatu Martha Kamara noted that the campaign will continue throughout the 16 Days of Activism, with further outreach, educational materials, and community engagements planned to strengthen digital safety and end to Female Genital Mutilation practices not only in their community but also in the country.
Community heads expressed appreciation for the initiative to raise awareness on digital safety, urged the national coordinator for more sensitization, and reaffirmed their commitment to support safer digital practices as they will in-turn raise awareness among residents, especially young women and girls who face increasing vulnerability online.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for solidarity and shared responsibility in building an inclusive and safe digital environment where women and girls can thrive without fear.
