WIMSAL President Recounts Successes & Challenges Of Media Women

Statement by the President of Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) on International Women’s Day 2025 Theme: “Beijing +30: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward” Fellow journalists, esteemed colleagues, distinguished guests, and all champions of gender equality, on this International Women’s Day 2025, we reflect on how far we have come and the road that still lies ahead in ensuring that women in the media are empowered, protected, and given equal opportunities to thrive. As we commemorate 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we acknowledge the progress made, while recognizing the persistent barriers that continue to hinder women’s full and meaningful participation in the media industry. Progress and Achievements: Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) has been at the forefront of advocating for gender equality in our profession. Over the years, we have seen an increase in female representation in journalism, broadcasting, and digital media. More women are stepping into leadership roles within the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), and more female journalists are expressing interest in contesting for leadership positions. We continue to encourage diverse storytelling, ensuring that issues affecting women and girls are mainstreamed in our reporting. Through training and mentorship, we are equipping female journalists with the skills and confidence to report on critical issues, such as: gender-based violence (GBV), reproductive health, and women’s rights. Digital media has given us a powerful platform, a space where female journalists can amplify their voices without traditional gatekeepers dictating the narrative. We have also invested in gender-sensitive reporting, providing numerous training sessions on how to report on sensitive issues such as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). On the policy front, WIMSAL played a key role in developing and validating the SLAJ Gender Equality Policy, a crucial step in fostering inclusivity and fairness within media institutions. With support from Comic Relief, we will be able to work with SLAJ and other media institutions to ensure the implementation of this policy across the country. Institutions, like BBC Media Action Sierra Leone, have already adopted gender-sensitive policies; covering equal pay, anti-harassment measures, and maternity benefits. Furthermore, the recognition of female journalists is growing, with more of our colleagues receiving national and international awards. Thanks to the Comic Relief, we now have more opportunities to celebrate and uplift women in media.Challenges: Barriers that still exist despite gains Women are still underrepresented in leadership roles, with few occupying top editorial, executive, or ownership positions. The gender pay gap persists, and women continue to be assigned “soft beats” like entertainment and lifestyle, while men dominate political and economic reporting. Online harassment and cyber-attacks disproportionately affect female journalists, discouraging their participation in the digital space. A recent case involving journalist, Umu Thoronka, highlighted the dangers of targeted online abuse. WIMSAL is actively working with the Independent Media Commission (IMC) locally, and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Organization, internationally, to pursue justice. Sexual harassment remains one of the most pressing issues in media workplaces. Unfortunately, many female journalists suffer in silence, out of fear of losing their jobs. Workplace harassment policies are either weak or non-existent, and there is little institutional support for victims. Financially, female journalists are at a disadvantage. Women media entrepreneurs struggle to access funding, limiting their ability to establish independent media platforms. Female journalists, compared to their male counterparts, face greater financial instability. We also witnessed the rejection of the proposed 30% quota for female representation in the SLAJ Constitutional Review. Ironically, it was women journalists themselves who opposed it, arguing that setting aside dedicated seats would be patronizing. While we believe in merit-based leadership, we must also ask: In a male-dominated industry, how can we ensure that women get a fair chance to compete and succeed The Way Forward: Our Call to Action To create a more inclusive and equitable media industry, we must: Promote women in leadership through mentorship, training, and affirmative action; Strengthen gender-sensitive policies to ensure equal pay, workplace safety, and protection against harassment; Encourage gender-responsive reporting, so that women’s stories are told fairly and accurately; Improve digital security for female journalists and establish laws to combat online harassment; Invest in women-led media enterprises by providing financial and technical support; Enhance capacity building and training for women in investigative journalism, political reporting, and new media technologies; Increase public awareness and advocacy to challenge gender biases in newsroom culture; Forge stronger national and international collaborations to push for media freedom and gender equality. A Call for Collective Responsibility The media is a powerful tool for shaping public perception, influencing policies, and driving social change. But gender inequality in media remains a systemic issue, one that requires deliberate and sustained action from policymakers, media houses, civil society, and all of us as media professionals. As Women in the Media Sierra Leone, we reaffirm our commitment to fighting for equal representation, fair opportunities, and a safe working environment for all women in journalism and media. We call on the government, media institutions, and international partners to stand with us in creating a media landscape that is inclusive, fair, and safe for women. This International Women’s Day, let us not only celebrate our progress, but renew our commitment to breaking barriers, dismantling biases, and paving the way for the next generation of female media leaders. Together, we can build a media industry where women not only belong, but lead! Happy International Women’s Day 2025!

Eastina. M. B Taylor

President, Women in the Media Sierra Leone.

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