Zara grew up witnessing the deep-rooted patriarchy that often led to the oppression and mistreatment of women. Determined to make a difference, she founded an organization called “Liberate,” aimed at empowering and supporting survivors of GBV, while raising awareness to challenge societal norms. Liberate quickly became a beacon of hope for many women, offering counselling, legal aid, and vocational training to survivors. Zara worked tirelessly, inspiring others to join her cause, and together they became a force to be reckoned with.
In my interaction with Zara ahead of this publication, she said to me, “I just received a distressed call from one Aisha, a young woman who had endured years of abuse at the hands of her husband. Tearfully, Aisha described her desperate situation, pleading for help to escape her tormentor.”
In response to the call, Zara assured Aisha that she was not alone in the struggle and promised to stand by her. With unwavering determination, Zara and her team sprang into action. They orchestrated a plan to relocate Aisha to a safe house in Agbule Egbe area of Lagos State, ensuring her safety, while preparing her for the legal battle ahead. They connected her with a compassionate lawyer and provided emotional support, helping her find the strength she thought she had lost.
Gender-based violence (GBV), also known as violence against women and girls (VAWG), is a pervasive global problem that impacts approximately one out of every three women during their lifetime. The statistics surrounding this issue are alarming: around the world, 35% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner or non-partner. Additionally, a distressing 7% of women globally have been victims of sexual assault by someone other than their partner. Shockingly, intimate partners are responsible for up to 38% of female homicides worldwide.
According to UNICEF, an estimated 200 million women have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting, a deeply harmful practice. The consequences of GBV extend beyond individual survivors and their loved ones, as it incurs substantial social and economic burdens. For instance, in countries like Nigeria, the cost of violence against women is estimated to be as high as 7.2% of the nation’s GDP, surpassing the expenditure on education by more than double.
To bridge the gap in the fight against GBV, concerted efforts must be made to improve infrastructure, increase internet penetration, and provide affordable devices to marginalised communities and groups like Zara’s organization, Liberate —a symbol of hope and a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who dare to challenge the status quo and fight for justice.
Efforts should be made to provide comprehensive digital literacy and skills training programs specifically targeted at women and girls. These programs should focus on building basic computer literacy, internet usage skills, online safety, and data privacy.
Special attention should be given to marginalised communities to bridge the digital divide, creating safe online spaces and support networks. It is crucial to create secure online spaces where women and girls can freely discuss and address GBV issues, e.g., online forums, social media platforms, and dedicated websites that serve as platforms for survivors to share their experiences, seek support, and access information. Building supportive networks and partnerships with relevant organisations can enhance the impact of these initiatives.
Awareness campaigns, advocacy, and community engagement are essential to challenge cultural and societal norms that hinder women’s and girls’ access to technology. Collaborative efforts involving community leaders, schools, and local organisations can help promote gender equality and encourage the participation of women and girls in technology-related fields. Strengthening legal frameworks – It is crucial to have strong legal frameworks that address online harassment, cyberbullying, and revenge porn.
Strict laws should be enacted or amended to criminalise these acts, and law enforcement agencies should be trained to handle technology-related GBV cases effectively. Raising awareness about legal protections and reporting mechanisms is also vital to empower women and girls to seek justice. Addressing technology literacy and inclusion challenges requires a multi-stakeholder approach.
Governments, civil society organisations, private sector entities, and international organisations should collaborate to develop comprehensive strategies and initiatives. Such partnerships can leverage resources, expertise, and networks to amplify the impact of interventions and create sustainable change. By addressing the challenges and implementing these solutions, Nigeria can take significant steps toward ending gender-based violence through technology literacy and inclusion.
Onah is a Health and Mental Health Writer, and Researcher. He can be reached via [email protected]
