A non-governmental organisation has taken a decisive step to equip young Nigerians with the tools to confront the growing menace of online abuse. The Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN) recently empowered a group of youths to lead the charge against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
Osogbo Youth Dialogue Focuses on Digital Dangers
The training unfolded during a Youth Dialogue held in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State. This event was part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. It successfully gathered 50 young participants with clear objectives: to deepen understanding of digital safety, provide strategies to prevent online abuse, and strengthen their voices against violence in both physical and virtual spaces.
During the session, Mr. Tobi Opadokun, Senior Communications Officer at CEWHIN, expressed serious concern over the alarming increase in online attacks targeting women, girls, and minors. He disclosed that the organisation has dealt with numerous disturbing cases in recent months, urging all stakeholders to act swiftly to reverse this dangerous trend.
New Realities of Abuse in the Digital Age
Opadokun outlined several malicious methods employed by abusers, including Cyberstalking, Sextortion, Doxing, Impersonation, and Image-Based Abuse, commonly known as Revenge Porn. He shared stark examples to illustrate the crisis.
“I have seen many cases where a girl’s nude photo went viral on Twitter simply because she had an argument with her boyfriend,” Opadokun revealed. “We also handled a case where a junior secondary school student was using Artificial Intelligence to generate nude images of his female classmates. These are the new realities we are dealing with.”
He emphasized that while technology offers vast opportunities for learning and connection, it has simultaneously become a weapon for manipulation, exploitation, and causing severe psychological harm.
Building a Frontline of Digital Defence
The interactive dialogue engaged participants in critical conversations on how to identify TFGBV and understand its links to offline violence. A key part of the training focused on practical steps for seeking help, educating the youths on how to use official reporting channels. These include:
- The Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC)
- MyLawbrella
- StopNCII.org
This knowledge is vital for reporting perpetrators and supporting survivors.
Zamfara First Lady Flags Off State Activism
In a related development, the fight against gender-based violence gained momentum in another region. Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, the wife of the Zamfara State Governor, officially launched the 2025 16 Days of Activism campaign in the state. She dedicated her efforts to combating violence against women.
The commemoration, organized by her office in collaboration with the State Ministry for Women, Children and Social Development Affairs, aligns with the annual global advocacy event. The First Lady described gender-based violence as a profound threat to social well-being and development, calling for a united movement focused on action and accountability.
“Our priorities this year are to strengthen the enforcement of laws that protect survivors, supporting access to justice for victims of online and offline abuse,” she stated, highlighting the dual focus on both digital and physical spaces.
The concerted efforts in Osogbo and Zamfara underscore a growing national recognition of the urgent need to protect citizens, especially the vulnerable, in an increasingly digital world. Empowering youth with knowledge and actionable strategies is emerging as a critical frontline defence.
