Digital abuse against women and girls in Ghana is escalating at an alarming pace, creating what experts describe as a human rights emergency. Online spaces, which have become central to learning, socializing, and economic opportunities, are increasingly unsafe.
Cyberbullying, online sexual harassment, image-based abuse, stalking, sextortion, impersonation, and misinformation have become common experiences for women navigating the digital world.
Speaking on A1 Radio’s Equal Voices programme on November 30, 2025, Hajia Jaw-Haratu Amadu, Head of Programmes at RISE Ghana, highlighted the severity of the problem and the urgent need for action.
She stressed that online abuse is not simply a technological issue but a reflection of deeply entrenched gender inequalities, cultural norms, and structural barriers that have persisted for generations. “Online abuse is not merely about technology; it is about society and how it values or devalues women and girls,” Hajia Jaw-Haratu Amadu explained.
Globally, one in three women experiences abuse every day, and between 16% and 58% of women report facing online harassment regularly. Men experience abuse at significantly lower rates—around one in ten—and the overwhelming majority of perpetrators are male. Hajia Jaw-Haratu Amadu emphasized that centering women and girls in discussions about digital safety is not about excluding men but about addressing those most at risk.
“If we try to make the conversation neutral, we risk spending more time analyzing perpetrators than protecting victims, the people who urgently need support,” she said.
A major factor exacerbating the problem is the digital literacy gap. Many women, particularly in rural communities, have limited exposure to technology and minimal knowledge of online safety practices.
Men typically have greater access to digital skills and resources, allowing them to better protect themselves online. Children are also affected, especially girls, who often first access phones via their mothers. If a mother lacks digital skills, her child has no guidance, leaving her exposed to scams, harassment, and misinformation.
Cultural norms further increase vulnerability. Society often praises or tolerates men’s sexual freedoms while policing women’s behavior. Women who are assertive or expressive may be labeled “proud” or “misbehaving,” while men face little judgment. These double standards extend to online spaces, where women posting confidently or sharing achievements may be subjected to harassment that is normalized or excused. “Cultural expectations that aim to protect women can easily be weaponized to shame and silence survivors, instead of holding perpetrators accountable,” Hajia Jaw-Haratu Amadu said.
RISE Ghana, which operates across six regions—including Upper East, Upper West, North East, Northern, Bono, and Western North—has adopted a multi-pronged approach to address these challenges. Its programming spans women’s rights, child protection, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), governance, natural resource management, and health systems strengthening, with women’s rights and child protection at the core. To mitigate online risks, RISE Ghana implements digital literacy and online safety training for women, girls, and community leaders, alongside advocacy for stronger laws to combat online gender-based violence.
Community sensitization campaigns challenge harmful norms, while child protection systems are strengthened to detect and respond to abuse. Integrated projects link women’s rights and child protection with health, governance, WASH, and natural resource management to ensure a holistic approach to empowerment.
Hajia Jaw-Haratu Amadu stressed that online abuse is closely tied to offline inequalities. “We cannot talk about digital safety without addressing societal norms, structural barriers, and inequities that have existed for decades. Protecting women online requires educating, empowering, and safeguarding them in every aspect of life,” she said.
She urged immediate action, calling for stronger laws, accessible reporting mechanisms, psychosocial support, and platforms that hold perpetrators accountable. Scaling digital literacy for women and caregivers is critical to ensure children also learn safe practices, while mobilizing communities to challenge harmful norms can prevent victim-blaming and stigma. “Empowering women is non-negotiable. Ghana cannot progress if women are excluded from leadership and decision-making, and we must protect them online and offline,” Hajia Jaw-Haratu Amadu said.
Source: a1radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Keziah Porepaya Nsoh|Bolgatanga
