As the world marks the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Amaclare Connect & Development Initiative has urged government, technology companies, and communities to intensify efforts to curb the rising tide of online abuse targeting women and girls.
At a stakeholders’ workshop themed “Safe Online Spaces for All – End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” the Executive Director of Amaclare, Mrs. Loretta Ahuokpeme, warned that digital violence is fast becoming one of the most widespread forms of modern abuse.
She said online platforms originally designed for learning, expression, and innovation were increasingly being misused for harassment, cyberbullying, identity theft, blackmail, misinformation, and other forms of abuse that inflict emotional and psychological harm on victims.
The workshop drew civil society representatives, community leaders, youth groups, students, and women associations, reflecting the growing concern over the safety of women and girls in digital spaces.
Among other key resolutions, stakeholders agreed on several measures aimed at preventing and responding to digital violence.
They called for improved policies and regulatory frameworks to ensure safer online environments and better monitoring of harmful digital activities.
They urged technology firms to introduce stronger protective tools such as improved safety apps, content filters, verification systems, and reporting channels to help victims report abuse easily and safely.
NGOs were encouraged to expand advocacy, research, digital rights education, and sensitization campaigns to empower users and challenge harmful online behaviour.
Recognizing the influence of grassroots groups, the workshop emphasized community-led awareness drives and the development of a unified working document to guide collective action against digital violence.
The event was supported by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), which works across nine states to strengthen peace and economic development. Its involvement highlighted the broader implications of online violence for stability and community well-being.
An accompanying art exhibition further underscored the message, using visual storytelling to depict the experiences of women and girls in digital spaces and inspire dialogue on digital safety.
As the 16 Days of Activism draws to a close, the call from Amaclare and its partners remains firm: online spaces must be safe for all, and ending digital violence against women and girls requires collective action, stronger institutions, and sustained community engagement.
