WIMSAL, BBC Media Action Draw Line Against Sexual Harassment in Media
- Grace Bangura
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Women in the Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) and BBC Media Action have called for stronger safeguarding measures to protect media workers, particularly women, from sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse and other threats across Sierra Leone’s media sector.
The call was made during a Policy Dialogue Forum on Gender Justice in the Media, organised by WIMSAL and Comic Relief, which brought together media leaders and stakeholders to discuss safeguarding gaps, accountability and the need for safer and more inclusive workplaces.
WIMSAL President Eastina Taylor-Tucker said gender justice must ensure that every media worker can work without sacrificing their dignity, safety or bodily autonomy.
BBC Media Action Country Director Musa Sangarie stressed that media freedom cannot be fully achieved without women being able to participate safely, equally and fully in the industry.
The dialogue builds on the partnership between WIMSAL and BBC Media Action, which has supported mechanisms for reporting sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, as well as research into women’s experiences, representation and leadership in Sierra Leone’s media. This includes a 2025 report on sexual harassment in the media and a 2026 study on women’s representation and leadership.
Participants emphasised the need to move beyond policies on paper and ensure that safeguarding mechanisms are effectively implemented, accessible and backed by accountability. They also called for greater participation of women in newsroom decision-making and leadership, beyond simply increasing their numerical representation.
The organisers said creating safer media workplaces requires collective action from media organisations, managers, journalists, regulators and other stakeholders.
WIMSAL and BBC Media Action reaffirmed their commitment to promoting safer and more inclusive newsrooms where women can fully exercise their professional rights, participate in decision-making and take on leadership roles.
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