By Justina Auta
Sustainable Gender Action Initiative (SGAI), UN Women and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have intensified grassroots mobilisation against technology-facilitated gender-based violence across communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Dr Mufuliat Fijabi, Executive Director of SGAI, during a community outreach in the Kabusa community on Thursday in Abuja, highlighted the need to address online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing and other forms of technology-facilitated violence.
Fijabi explained that the outreach was part of activities marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, themed “UNITE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
She noted that young women in the community remained vulnerable due to limited digital literacy and inadequate access to reporting mechanisms.
According to her, the exercise aims to empower them with knowledge, support networks and safe online practices.
“This will enhance their confidence to participate meaningfully in digital spaces while resisting and reporting online exploitation.
“We know that most of them use Android phones and are on various social media apps, like Facebook, where they share pictures and communicate.
“At times, when things go wrong and it becomes emotional violence, they don’t know who to turn to.
“That is why we are here, to give them the necessary information and knowledge to identify the signs and prevent or report it,” she added.
Mrs Theresa Kuma, Assistant Director, Violence Against Persons Department at NAPTIP, underscored the agency’s role in preventing, investigating and prosecuting GBV cases.
“We sensitise communities so they can be informed, supported and protected against violence and harmful traditional practices.
“We provide psychosocial services, and when cases are reported, we counsel survivors, offer medical services, investigate and prosecute offenders,” she said.
The Chief of Kabusa Community, Samuel Kpowu, urged residents to ensure an end to all forms of violence and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring perpetrators are reported and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Some community members expressed appreciation to the organisers for the sensitisation exercise and donation of items.
Hajiya Fatima Salihu, a community member said, “I didn’t know much about GBV before, but I now understand the early signs of violence, the different forms, including digital GBV, and the appropriate authorities to report to.”
Similarly, Mrs Nonye Chukwukah assured that she would pass the lessons on to others, especially young women and girls, to raise awareness on digital violence.
“We now understand that online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual sharing of pictures and other technology-facilitated forms of violence can be perpetrated without physically meeting the person.
“I will educate other women, especially young girls, on how to prevent such violence and where to report it,” she said.
Other activities to mark the event included interactive sessions on digital GBV, early warning signs of violence and the role of NAPTIP in ending GBV. (NAN)
