INTRODUCTION
Between November 2023 and January 2024, a series of discussions was conducted with a diverse group of ten (10) public-facing women, selected from various fields in Sierra Leone, including politicians, journalists, civil society activists, and market women. A full list of the women consulted can be found at the end of this report. This initiative was conducted by media editor and journalist Christian Conteh, with support from Internews, under its’ Public Awareness Fellowship Program.
Based on the information and insights provided during these discussions, this report explores the multifaceted challenges that public-facing women experience during their work; examines the profound impact that these challenges have on their personal and professional lives; identifies strategies to help surmount some of these obstacles; explores the pivotal role that can be played by local media in amplifying the voices of such women; and emphasizes the indispensable significance of accurate media reporting on issues related to public-facing women in the country.
Specifically, the findings highlighted reveal a complex landscape marked by societal biases, cyberattacks, limited visibility, and an ongoing struggle for gender equality and fair representation.
SNAPSHOTS
• All ten (10) respondents believe that the local media has over the years continued to sufficiently highlight women’s voices and experiences in Sierra Leone, but agree that more needs to be done.
• Seven (7) of the ten (10) women interviewed confirm that they have been victims of misrepresentation in the media. Although three (3) have not had any personal experience of media misrepresentation they confirmed being aware of instances where the media has misrepresented other women.
• Nine (9) of the ten (10) respondents believe they face challenges primarily because they are women. Only one (1) woman believes that the challenges public women face have nothing to do with their gender.
• Although all the women consulted say they feel confident engaging local media on issues affecting them or their work, half of the respondents (5) say they exercise caution when doing so, due to fear of misrepresentation and/or media bias.
• All the women consulted (10) believe that accurate media coverage benefits everyone and contributes to stability within the country – something which the nation greatly needs, especially in current times.
Challenges Experienced by Public-Facing Women:
During an interview series, ten public-facing women from diverse sectors in Sierra Leone shared their experiences, particularly during the recent elections and the subsequent post-election period. Despite their varied professions, ranging from politics and civil society to journalism and business, there was a striking similarity in the challenges they confronted.
Among the most frequently cited issues were the societal biases against female leadership, struggles to break through male-dominated domains, and pervasive fears of insecurity, especially among market women. Experiences of physical attacks, harassment, intimidation, and the distressing influence of online hate during campaigns against social issues like Female Genital Mutilation were recurring themes.
This collection of quotes presents their unfiltered voices, encapsulating some of the challenges they faced, in their own words.
• “The first challenge I face is being a woman. This stems from societal norms that question a woman leading an election observation outfit of this scale.”
• “Breaking through the male-dominated informal sector remains a significant challenge. Post-election, there’s a pervasive fear of insecurity among our [market women].”
• “During the post-election transition period, I faced a myriad of challenges, including physical attacks, threats, harassment, insults, and intimidation, predominantly on social media and in some instances physically, especially during my campaign against Female Genital Mutilation.”
• “I’ve faced the common challenge of being undervalued as a woman.”
• “Throughout the post-election transition, threats and intimidation, both online and offline, have been prominent in my work.”
• “During that [election and post-election] period, I faced heightened tensions, misinformation, and hate messages. Personally, I was afraid to even go out to work due to constant hate messages circulating on social media.”
• “During the post-election transition, I have faced considerable harassment, intimidation, and insults, particularly within the political landscape, many accuse me of supporting the main opposition so they think I should not be in leadership.”
How Challenges Have Impacted Women’s Personal Lives and Professional Work:
After listing some of their most experienced challenges, the women also candidly shared how such challenges have penetrated both their personal lives and professional endeavors. Based on their insights, it is clear that the intensity of cyberattacks took an undeniable toll, not merely affecting the women’s sense of personal security, but also plunging their families into worry, as they had to juggle the weight of enduring insults.
These trials eroded personal freedoms, and in some cases restricted the women’s abilities to be vocal on various topics, due to apprehensions over political associations. However, their tireless advocacy for human rights stood as a testament to their resilience.
• “Cyberattacks have been relentless, impacting both my personal and professional life. Personally, it affects my family’s concern for my safety and coping with regular insults. Professionally, it demands double the effort compared to male counterparts and leaves no room for error, accompanied by significant psychological strain.”
• “Personally, it restricts my freedom to speak on various topics, fearing association with political parties or specific groups.”
• “These challenges have significantly impacted both my professional work and personal life, testing my resilience in advocating for human rights.”
• “To assert my competence, I’ve had to consistently work harder and prove my worth.”
• “These challenges have significantly affected not just my professional productivity but also my personal peace and sense of security.”
• “It became difficult to distinguish fake news from accurate information, making my journalistic job challenging in determining what to rely on.”
• “Professionally, increased scrutiny, biases, and limited visibility opportunities compared to male counterparts have been notable challenges. Personally, it’s been emotionally taxing—maneuvering societal expectations, heightened stress levels, and facing undue criticism.”
• “These challenges have impacted both my professional work and personal life. Personally, some of my friends have decided to stay away because they feel we do not share the same political sentiments. Professionally I always have women who try to undermine my leadership because of political reasons.”
Strategies Employed to Overcome Key Challenges:
In navigating the intricate landscape of public life, these women have developed a range of strategies pivotal to overcoming pervasive challenges, which they shared, along with insights and suggestions for other women who may be considering venturing into similar fields.
These strategies, born from necessity, encompass a spectrum of approaches ranging from professional networking and fostering alliances for collective action, to advocating for equal representation.
• “To address these challenges, I chose resilience and persistence. Despite the hurdles, I continued to fulfill my duties as chair lady without allowing intimidation to stop me.”
• “Networking with supportive groups, amplifying my voice through alternative platforms, and advocating for equal representation were key strategies. Some successes include gaining traction via social media outreach and forming alliances to address shared issues.”
• “I resorted to verification and fact-checking every story, whether online or in print. I consciously avoided WhatsApp audio messages containing hate speech directed at women in politics or civic roles. Providing accurate and credible information to the public and raising awareness about digital media use became crucial strategies.”
• “[My organization] attempted to have male colleagues echo my sentiments, realizing they didn’t face similar attacks. It’s been a partial success in highlighting the disparity in responses.”
• “Caution became my primary strategy. Being more vigilant limits friction. I rely on my independence and skills, focusing on my small business.”
• “Practicing patience has been key, especially within my religious work environment. This approach has brought tremendous success in navigating these challenges.”
• “Perseverance has been my primary strategy in confronting these challenges. Despite the hurdles, I continued my advocacy efforts, striving to amplify the voices of women and girls. While success has been gradual, persistence has been crucial in maintaining the momentum.”
• “As a journalist, I’ve focused on providing a platform for women to share their stories and inspirations. Contributing to fact-checking initiatives and advocating for improved legislation implementation has been crucial. Progress is evident as awareness among women has notably increased.”
Role of Local Media in Highlighting the Voices and Experiences of Women:
These quotes amplify the perspectives of public-facing women, regarding the role that local media does (and can) play in amplifying the voices and experiences of women. These insights underscore the progress made by local media in highlighting women’s narratives. However, they also illuminate the existing gaps and the need for more comprehensive coverage, particularly the need to focus on more diverse experiences of women in different areas of public life, to ensure a more inclusive representation of women’s stories and experiences.
• “The local media does highlight women’s voices and experiences to some extent, but they should focus on the less privileged women like us in the market and not just those in big offices.”
• “While progress is evident, there’s still a significant gap in representing the diverse experiences of women. Immediate attention is needed to bridge this disparity.”
• “Despite polarization, the media plays a role, but it needs to diligently uphold its watchdog role to strengthen democracy.”
• “Local media has made strides in highlighting women’s voices and experiences, but there’s room for improvement.”
• “While the media has made efforts, there’s still much ground to cover in adequately representing women’s voices and experiences.”
• “Local media attempts to highlight women’s voices but there is a need for more in-depth coverage on the activities of public-facing women.”
• “The media has progressed in highlighting women’s voices, much like this conversation. Yet, there’s room for further enhancement.”
• “The media has made significant efforts in highlighting women’s voices and experiences, but there’s always room for further amplification.”
Experiences and Confidence Levels in Engaging with Local Media:
When asked about their experiences with and confidence levels in engaging with local media on issues that are important to them, the public-facing women who were consulted for this report demonstrated a strong history of engaging with the media – though some said they still remain cautious or hesitant whenever doing so, due to past experiences with and/or ongoing concerns related to being misrepresented or having their words misconstrued.
• “I’ve engaged with local media for over two decades, though there’s noticeable bias in certain outlets, especially in print media, which makes me cautious about choosing whom to engage with.”
• “Confidence fluctuates due to concerns about misrepresentation or biased portrayal. Establishing trust is crucial for more meaningful collaborations.”
• “I’m confident discussing work-related issues with the media.”
• “Although my work doesn’t often provide the chance for direct engagement, I am confident. However, concerns about potential misrepresentation or bias do linger.”
• “Engaging with local media is essential for addressing crucial issues. However, concerns about misrepresentation and bias do influence my approach. I proceed with caution, ensuring clarity in my communications to prevent potential misinterpretations.”
• “I’m highly confident in engaging with the media, contributing to my success in various roles over the years.”
• “I feel confident engaging with local media, but I do so mostly with people or media outlets I know and trust. While I’m confident in discussing issues, I exercise caution to prevent misinterpretations.”
• “Engaging with local media feels comfortable, given our shared profession. Misrepresentation concerns are addressable, and corrections can be made promptly if necessary.”
Experiences of Misrepresentation and Steps to Address It:
Based on the reality that most of the women interviewed for this report stated that they have personally experienced some form of misrepresentation by the media in the past (and/or know another colleague who has had such experiences), the following accounts touch on public-facing women’s own experiences with misrepresentation by the media, and what steps they took to navigate such issues.
More than anything, the experiences and strategies shared by these women underscore their collective concern surrounding accurate media representation of women in public roles.
• “Yes, there have been instances of misrepresentation. I always get on to the concerned media outlets to rectify any inaccuracies. But ensuring corrections can be challenging.”
• “Yes, misrepresentation occurred, impacting credibility and public perception negatively. Attempts to rectify involved direct communication with media outlets to clarify facts or request corrections, yielding varied results.”
• “Yes, misrepresentation has occurred, impacting credibility and public perception. I’ve advocated for constant follow-up reporting and in-depth analysis of issues beyond immediate coverage.”
• “Certainly, notably after the elections where a newspaper alleged I had embezzled a substantial sum [of money]. Despite reporting to the Independent Media Commission for a retraction, it remains unresolved.”
• “I’ve had a positive relationship with the media and never encountered misrepresentation. They’ve supported and promoted my work.”
• “Personally, I haven’t experienced misrepresentation, but I’ve witnessed it happen to other women, which is concerning.”
• “There have been instances of misrepresentation in local media and I most times reach out to the media institutions involved to correct it.”
• “I recall a single instance in Awareness Times Newspaper. I addressed it by directly contacting the paper’s proprietor. Generally, I tend to ignore such occurrences.”
• “Personally, I haven’t experienced misrepresentation, but I’ve encountered reported instances. My advice to affected women has always been to address concerns directly with the journalists or media outlets involved.”
The Role of the Media and Recommendations for Improved Reporting on Women in Public Roles:
When asked about the role that media and accurate reporting have (or could have) on the lives of public-facing women, many of the women consulted echoed similar views, highlighting an overwhelming need for accurate, unbiased storytelling, comprehensive coverage of women’s achievements, and the increased spotlighting of challenges faced by women in public roles.
In particular, the women suggested a variety of recommendations for the media, many of which stress the need for accurate, equitable coverage, devoid of bias – to foster societal change, gender equality, and sustainable development. They emphasized the need for unbiased reporting, inclusive editorial policies, and gender sensitivity training for journalists while underlining the crucial role that media plays in shaping perceptions and opportunities for women in the public domain.
• “Journalists should take on the role of unbiased storytellers, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in public roles. Their reporting should aim to bring awareness without bias. Accurate media coverage is impactful. It not only shapes public perception but also influences policy decisions. Fair and precise reporting can empower women in public roles and encourage societal change.”
• “Conscious diversification of sources, comprehensive coverage of women’s achievements, and platforms for informed gender equality discussions would significantly improve media support. Journalists can create awareness by dedicating segments to highlight these challenges, focusing on balanced and nuanced reporting.”
• “The media should spotlight positive narratives about women in positions of trust, ensuring their visibility and correcting any misinformation. Journalists need to return to their core responsibilities, acting as watchdogs, especially the print media, to shed light on challenges faced by women in public roles.”
• “Accurate reporting would enlighten the populace about women’s contributions, fostering peace and sustainable development.”
• “Media should recognize women’s strengths and weaknesses, focusing on empowering them by highlighting strengths and encouraging development in weaker areas.”
• “Journalists must speak impartially on issues concerning women in public roles, avoiding bias. Accurate reporting fosters peace and national development. Journalists should prioritize credibility by cross-checking information.”
• “The media should carve out more space for women, dedicating airtime to discuss issues affecting women and collectively finding solutions. Journalists should strive for neutrality, giving women equal opportunities to share their stories.”
• “Accurate media coverage benefits everyone, contributing to stability within the country—something our nation greatly needs, especially in current times.”
• “Media outlets should give priority to women since they have been left behind in the development agenda for a long time. The media must also give fair and accurate coverage of the activities of women in public roles.”
• “Journalists serve a critical role as unbiased narrators in raising awareness about challenges encountered by women in public roles. They must ensure they perform that watchdog role without fear or favor and do so with a gender-sensitive lens.”
• “Accurate media coverage holds immense potential. It not only shapes public perception but also influences policies and societal attitudes. Fair and precise reporting can empower women in public roles and drive positive change.”
• “The media should positively portray women, without applying different standards than those for men. Encouraging women into public roles demands supportive coverage, not exclusion. Accurate reporting, exemplified by Lara Taylor Pierce’s case, requires a fair evaluation of track records. Journalists shouldn’t take sides and should portray women, even in crises, objectively based on their merits.”
• “Continued agenda-setting for discussions on women’s growth and development in public service remains crucial for media. Journalists are pivotal in storytelling, offering platforms for these women to share their experiences, thereby reaching and motivating more individuals.”
• “Media organizations should prioritize unbiased reporting and diversify their sources, ensuring a fair portrayal of women during transitions. Creating specialized segments or features on women’s experiences could also be beneficial”.
• “Inclusive editorial policies, gender sensitivity training for journalists, and regular feedback mechanisms to address biases or inaccuracies would greatly enhance reporting.”
• “There’s a need for improved relationships between public-facing women and the media. Media literacy skills for these women could help navigate mainstream and social media more effectively.”
• “Creating more programs and airtime specifically for women and issues they face could significantly enhance representation.”
• “Develop special programs that share stories of women and girls, inspiring and motivating others.”
• “Regular training sessions, particularly for reporters, focused on covering women in public roles would significantly enhance media reporting.”
NOTABLE QUOTES:
“The first challenge I face is being a woman. This stems from societal norms that question a woman leading an election observation outfit of this scale. Cyberattacks have been relentless, impacting both my personal and professional life”
-Marcella Samba-Sesay, Executive Director CGG and Chairperson NEW.
“Notably after the elections a newspaper alleged, I had embezzled a substantial sum of money. Despite reporting to the Independent Media Commission for a retraction, it remains unresolved”
-Marcella Samba- Sesay Marcella Samba- Sesay, Executive Director CGG and Chairperson NEW.
“Journalists need to return to their core responsibilities, acting as watchdogs, especially the print media, to shed light on challenges faced by women in public roles”
-Marcella Samba- Sesay, Marcella Samba- Sesay Executive Director CGG and Chairperson NEW.
“Breaking through the male-dominated informal sector remains a significant challenge. Post-election, there’s a persistent fear of insecurity among our members. Personally, it restricts my freedom to speak on various topics”
-Marie Bob-Kandeh, Chairlady of the Sierra Leone Market Women Association.
“Media should recognize women’s strengths and weaknesses, focusing on empowering them by highlighting strengths and encouraging development in weaker areas”
-Marie Bob-Kandeh, Chairlady of the Sierra Leone Market Women Association.
“I have had a positive relationship with the media, they have supported and promoted my work. Fortunately, I have not experienced misrepresentation”
-Marie Bob-Kandeh, Chairlady of the Sierra Leone Market Women Association.
“Personally, I have not had any major challenges solely because I am a woman. However, I have witnessed other women facing disrespect or discouragement”
-Valnora Edwin, Chairperson of the African Women Leaders Network and Vice President for the 50/50 Group, former Executive Director CGG.
“The media should positively portray women, without applying different standards than those for men. Encouraging women into public roles demands support, not exclusion”
-Valnora Edwin, Chairperson of the African Women Leaders Network and Vice President for the 50/50 Group, former Executive Director CGG.
“Accurate reporting, exemplified by Lara Taylor Pierce’s case, requires a fair evaluation of track records. Journalists shouldn’t take sides and should portray women, even in crises, objectively based on their merits”
-Valnora Edwin, Chairperson of the African Women Leaders Network and Vice President for the 50/50 Group, former Executive Director CGG.
“There’s a need for improved relationships between public-facing women and the media. Media literacy skills for these women could help navigate mainstream and social media more effectively”
-Mabinty M Kamara, Editor Politico Newspaper.
“Favourable coverage could significantly impact public perception and foster increased women’s participation in public spaces”
-Mabinty M. Kamara, Editor Politico Newspaper.
“I have faced several challenges, including physical attacks, threats, harassment, insults, and intimidation especially as I work on my campaign against Female Genital Mutilation”
-Rugiatu Neneh Turay Koroma, former Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs and Founder of the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM).
“Journalists serve a critical role as unbiased narrators in raising awareness about challenges encountered by women in public roles. They must ensure they perform that watchdog role without fear or favor and do so with a gender-sensitive lens”
-Rugiatu Neneh Turay Koroma, former Minister of Social Welfare, Gender, and Children’s Affairs and Founder of the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM).
“Accurate media coverage holds immense potential. It not only shapes public perception but also influences policies and societal attitudes. Media outlets should give priority to women since they have been left behind in the development agenda for a long time”
-Rugiatu Neneh Turay Koroma, former Minister of Social Welfare, Gender, and Children’s Affairs and Founder of the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM).
“During the post-election transition, I have faced considerable harassment, intimidation, and insults, particularly within the political landscape, many accuse me of supporting the main opposition so they think I should not be in leadership”
-Chief Ya Alimammy Fofanah, Chairlady at Congo Market in Freetown.
A special thank you to the women who shared their experiences and contributed to the development of this report:
1. Marie Bob Kandeh – Chairlady of the Sierra Leone Market Women Association.
2. Chief Ya Alimammy Fofanah – Chairlady at Congo Market in Freetown.
3. Edwina Sia Janga – Editor and Proprietor for Focus 24/7 Newspaper.
4. Mabinty Kamara – Editor for Politico Newspaper.
5. Marcella Samba Sesay – Executive Director of Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) and Chairperson for National Elections Watch (NEW).
6. Mrs Kadie Crowther – Head of Administration at Believers Broadcasting Network (BBN Radio).
7. Rugiatu Neneh Turay Koroma – Former Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs and Founder of the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM).
8. Valnora Edwin – Chairperson of the African Women Leaders Network and Vice President for the 50/50 Group, former Executive Director CGG.
9. Victoria Bernard – Journalist and Chairperson for SLAJ Eastern Region.
10. Kadie Tina Sillah – Executive Secretary for the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).
