By Janet Salihu
The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has renewed its national call for collective action against all forms of digital violence targeting women and girls, as the organisation marked the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with a one-day sensitization programme in Abuja.
In her welcome address, the National President of NCWS, Princess Edna D.D. Azura, described digital violence as “a growing danger that threatens the dignity, safety, and advancement of women and girls in Nigeria and globally.” She warned that the digital space, once celebrated for empowerment and innovation has become a platform for harassment, blackmail, cyberstalking, misinformation, image abuse, identity theft, and hate speech.
“Digital violence is violence, full stop,” Princess Edna declared, stressing that online attacks have real emotional, psychological, economic and physical consequences. She called for stronger laws, improved enforcement, safer digital systems, and widespread digital literacy to protect women and girls from online exploitation.
The NCWS President also emphasized that the fight cannot be won in isolation.
“No single organisation or government can do it alone. Collaboration is our strongest weapon,” she said, urging families, educators, law enforcement, government agencies and technology companies to unite to build safe and inclusive online spaces.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Emomotimi Agama, PhD, the Assistant Director of Market Development, Ogwuche Jessie, warned that women and young girls account for over 60% of victims of online investment scams and digital impersonation in Nigeria.
According to the DG, digital violence has expanded beyond harassment to include financial exploitation, identity theft, misinformation, and targeted online scams.
“Across the world, 1 in 3 women has experienced some form of online harassment or digital abuse,” he noted. “In Nigeria, too many women lose their savings or confidence in digital platforms simply because fraudsters exploit trust and emotional vulnerability.”
The SEC DG commended NCWS for championing a conversation that goes beyond awareness to real action. He stressed that protecting women in digital spaces is now a national priority, as more women increasingly engage in online business, digital investment, fintech, e-commerce, and remote work.
“Women now make up almost half of online small business owners in Nigeria, and that is something to celebrate. But with these opportunities come new risks, fake investments, impersonation, cyber harassment, and financial fraud,” he said.
He urged stronger financial literacy for women, better digital safety training, and collective efforts to create safer online spaces.
“Let us leave here with one commitment: to educate more women, speak louder against digital abuse, and build safe digital financial spaces for every woman and girl,” he added.
The programme also featured key stakeholder interventions, including a passionate contribution from Barisa Jamila, Founder of Elmila Heritage Support Foundation, who broadened the discussion by highlighting rising cases of abuse against the boy child. She cited recent incidents involving a nine-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl who is currently under her care, stressing the need for vigilance and community reporting.
“If you see something, say something,” Jamila urged, commending security agencies that are working closely with civil society groups to support victims.
Princess Edna reaffirmed NCWS’s commitment to championing the rights and safety of women and girls both offline and online. She thanked partners, experts and participants for their role in pushing the national movement against gender-based violence forward.
The sensitization programme forms part of global activities marking the 16 Days of Activism, an annual international campaign that runs from November 25 to December 10.
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