NGO advocates support for victims of digital, gender-based violence

As the world marks this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) from November 25 to December 10, themed: ‘UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls’, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the FAME Foundation, has called for a campaign against and an end to digital and gender-based violence, saying the victims deserve justice.

The Executive Director, FAME Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, stated this while briefing journalists as part of activities marking GBV on Tuesday in Abuja.

While calling on victims to speak out against abuse and help create safe digital spaces, Atoyebi charged the government, stakeholders, the media, civil societies, technology companies, communities, men and boys to amplify and condemn digital and gender-based violence by supporting the survivors.

She described digital violence as a growing problem in Nigeria, saying girls and women are experiencing online harassment, cyberstalking, abusive messaging and other forms of digital abuse, adding that the incidents most often go unreported, thus leaving victims feeling isolated, unsafe and unheard.

Atoyebi said about 68.9 million Nigerians, out of which half are women, face online abuse, including cyberbullying, scams, impersonation and sexual exploitation. Going further, she stated 97% of children have experienced some form of sexual exploitation online, and 89% have received unwanted sexual content or requests.

She said, “According to Gatefield’s State of Online Harms 2025 report, about 68.9 million Nigerians face online abuse, including cyberbullying, scams, impersonation, and child sexual exploitation. Over half of these victims are women, showing how digital abuse often targets women more.

“The same report, based on data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), found that 97% of children have experienced some form of sexual exploitation online, and 89% have received unwanted sexual content or requests.

“There is also a growing problem in Nigeria of private videos or images being shared online without consent. When this happens, victims face public mockery, harassment, and reputational harm. This type of abuse can ruin lives, force people offline, and make women and girls afraid to speak out or participate in online spaces.”

She called for the application and enforcement of the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act to check digital and gender-based violence and reduce it to the barest minimum.