Gendered disinformation threatens women’s digital presence in Senegal

how targeted disinformation silences senegalese women online

In Senegal, digital spaces are increasingly becoming battlegrounds where women face a particularly vicious form of disinformation. A groundbreaking study reveals that 61% of Senegalese women have been subjected to gendered disinformation campaigns, which attack their bodies, sexuality, and private lives rather than their ideas or professional work.

This phenomenon, documented in a report titled “gendered disinformation in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire: forms, impact, and stakes”, highlights a disturbing trend where women in public life—politicians, journalists, activists, influencers, and artists—are systematically undermined through fabricated narratives about their morality or personal lives.

the “72-hour phenomenon”: a uniquely senegalese digital attack

Senegalese women describe a local phenomenon known as the “72-hour attack”, where targeted individuals undergo a coordinated online smear campaign. For three days, their personal lives are scrutinized, distorted, and weaponized through manipulated images, false accusations, and fabricated stories designed to portray them as immoral or untrustworthy.

While male politicians may also face such attacks, the impact on women is far more severe. The goal, according to the report, is to silence them by forcing them out of digital spaces entirely. For women in public life, these attacks often take the form of accusations that they gained their positions through sexual relationships with party officials, are paid by foreign governments, or are funded by Western organizations to discredit their work.

self-censorship: the silent retreat from public life

The study found that many women respond to these attacks by self-censoring online or withdrawing from digital platforms altogether. This retreat is not just a personal choice—it represents a withdrawal from public life, depriving society of their voices, expertise, and leadership.

The most vulnerable groups include women politicians, journalists, feminist activists, public figures, influencers, and artists—those who dare to occupy visible spaces in society. The report notes that these women are often the most educated and engaged, making their silencing a significant loss for democratic discourse.

who is behind these attacks?

The primary perpetrators are men aged 17 to 45, often from the same country as their targets. The report also identifies a subset of women who act as enforcers of patriarchal norms, labeled as “patriarchal women” in the study. These women may participate in spreading disinformation to uphold traditional gender roles or personal agendas.

Another critical issue is the role of social media platforms. Many of these attacks are conducted in local languages like Wolof, but platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok lack adequate tools to detect or flag harmful content in these languages. As a result, harmful narratives spread unchecked, exacerbating the problem.

a call for legal recognition and systemic change

The report urges Senegalese authorities to recognize digital gender-based violence as a form of gender-based violence, alongside physical and sexual violence. This recognition would enable the development of specific laws, training for law enforcement to handle complaints, and educational programs to teach digital literacy and fact-checking.

Sadia Mandjo, the report’s author and a journalist specializing in women’s rights in Africa, emphasizes that this issue is not isolated. “Digital violence is an extension of the violence women face in their homes and on the streets. It is part of the same continuum,” she explains. Addressing it requires a holistic approach that includes legal, educational, and platform-level interventions.

As Senegal continues to embrace digital transformation, the fight against gendered disinformation is not just about protecting women—it’s about preserving democracy, free speech, and the right to participate fully in public life.