In Sierra Leone, local journalism is a lifeboat for women in rural communities

West African nation’s top female newsroom, Media Matters for Women

Sierra Leone, celebrates 10th anniversary; partners with DU research team

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

In the rural communities of Sierra Leone, women who are experiencing sexual abuse, gender-based violence and restricted bodily autonomy often have just one hope when seeking justice; the intrepid journalists at Media Matters for Women Sierra Leone.

Now in its 10th year of operation, MMW has grown from a small local podcasting network to a nationwide community news service that serves over 60,000 listeners.

In a traditionally patriarchal society where women are often not taught to read or write, MMW’s journalists create targeted podcasts translated into over 30 local dialects to reach and inform listeners — often in the country’s most remote corners.

Recently, MMW’s Executive

Director Florence Sesay and Senior Journalist Alinah Kallon traveled to New York and Colorado to attend the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women and convene with a data journalism team of grad students at the University of Denver, respectively.

Sesay said the U.N. convening was particularly poignant because she and Kallon were able to feel solidarity with women around the world working through similar challenges and learn tools to implement in her work when she returns.

“We are learning from other countries in terms of response to sexual and gender-based violence,” Sesay said. “Listening to stories, it’s like sometimes when you work on women’s issues, we need that solidarity. Sometimes just listening to all the stories from women from across the globe gives you that energy. You keep going like you’re not alone in this ght.

“I want to see how I can learn and share best practices when I go back,” e MMW team has carved out a dedicated listener base by continually challenging norms.

Sesay continued.

In Sierra Leone — as well as most other states in the world — newsrooms have been historically controlled by men, and men typically hold positions of power. In rural communities, this often leads to a pervasive culture of violence against women, and a lack of accountability for those who commit crimes within the justice system.

“I think journalists, the media, we have very powerful women now — before, the newsroom was controlled by men,” Sesay said. “ e space was controlled by men. For Media Matters for Women, we are in charge, and we are taking the lead in telling the stories of women — especially those who are in the last mile.”

To bridge that information gap — especially for women in remote, “last mile” communities — MMW’s journalists must gain the trust of — mostly male — community leaders. at work, Kallon says, has taken years of building trust to develop.

“Sierra Leone is a country where we have a high number of illiteracies; many women do not have the ability to read and write,” Kallon said. “ e gap of gender inequality is huge. We ensure that we work with