On Tuesday, the Tostan Training Center hosted a mini panel under the ACT Project, funded by the European Commission and UN Women. Community leaders, women’s rights advocates, digital safety specialists, and youth representatives from Senegal and The Gambia gathered to discuss a shared concern. Digital violence is increasing in rural areas, yet national conversations rarely include these communities.
Panelists stressed that public debates often focus on cities, while rural girls and women now face similar risks as internet access expands in non urban areas. These risks include harassment, non consensual image sharing, and identity fraud.
“The violence is the same in Dakar as in the most remote village. No one should be left behind,” said Ibrahima Dieng, Senior Program Officer at the West African Network for Peace and Security (REPSFECO).
Rural Communities Face Online Risks but Data on Digital Violence Is Limited
Mobile phone use in Senegal continues to grow. National surveys report that 89.1% of households use mobile phones, and rural communities rely heavily on WhatsApp and Facebook for communication. Current national studies do not distinguish between urban and rural realities. As a result, researchers still lack data on how digital violence affects non urban communities.
“We need better information to understand, prevent, and respond to these forms of violence. Rural areas should not remain invisible,” said Ndiago Ndiaye, President of REPSFECO.
She noted that although digital violence takes place online, its psychological impacts affect family relationships and community wellbeing, especially for young women.
Rural Electrification Expands Internet Access and New Online Vulnerabilities
Feminist activist July Cissé, Vice President of REPSFECO Senegal, pointed to the rapid changes brought by increased electrification in rural areas. Senegal’s 2023 decree on decentralized rural electrification aims to expand reliable and affordable electricity by the end of 2025. As more villages gain steady electricity, many are connecting to digital platforms for the first time.
“These communities are new to the online space. Without prevention, the risks can quickly match what we see in cities,” she said.
Community Structures Offer a Foundation for Digital Safety Education
Panelists noted that rural communities already rely on trusted internal structures that can support prevention if equipped. They highlighted the Community Management Committees formed through the Community Empowerment Program. These committees bring people together to discuss sensitive issues and make collective decisions on protection.
Speakers explained that since these committees are well established and trusted, education programs delivered through them should now include digital safety literacy in local languages. This would help communities understand online risks and guide young people in safer phone use.
Panelists recognized that digital tools can support education and development. July Cissé reminded participants that communities should not fear technology.
“The issue is not the mobile phone — it is how we use it. Phones democratized information in rural areas. Our responsibility is to guide their use for education, development, and protection,” she said.