As the world marks the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has raised fresh concerns over the growing wave of digital violence targeted at women and girls, urging urgent collective action to curb the trend.
The global UNiTE campaign, themed “End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” runs from November 25 to December 10 and focuses on tackling both online and offline forms of abuse that endanger women’s safety, dignity, and participation in public life.
In a statement signed by the NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike, the council stressed the need to address the escalating threats women face in digital spaces. She noted that violence against women—whether physical, psychological, or virtual—remains a grave human rights violation and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Ike also recounted her personal experience during the 2024 NUJ FCT election, where she was subjected to deliberate gender-based harassment aimed at intimidating her and weakening her candidacy.
“I endured targeted gender-based harassment and intimidation—attempts to silence my voice and undermine my candidacy through threats and derogatory attacks,” she stated. “This reinforced my resolve that no one should endure such abuse, and society must dismantle the structures that enable it both offline and online.”
The NUJ FCT emphasized that gender-based violence destroys lives, undermines confidence, and fractures communities, noting that digital violence has become one of the most pervasive and insidious forms of abuse in recent years.
The council called on Nigerians to reject all forms of violence, report abuse, and challenge harmful cultural norms that perpetuate inequality. It also reaffirmed the media’s critical role in spotlighting the realities of survivors, amplifying their voices, and pushing for justice.
According to the statement, the NUJ FCT is committed to: promoting responsible and inclusive reporting on gender-based violence, advocating for stronger legal frameworks, supporting survivors, pushing for effective policies against digital harassment, and and encouraging widespread education to prevent abuse.
Grace Ike urged both men and women to join the fight against gender-based violence, stressing that the journey toward a safer society requires persistence and unity.
“Let this campaign ignite renewed commitment to shift from words to meaningful change,” she declared. “Together, we can build a society where dignity, respect, equality, and safety prevail both offline and online.”
The council pledged to champion efforts to end gender-based violence throughout the year, not only during the 16 Days of Activism.
