Katsina: The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) has called on the concerned authority to take decisive action to end digital violence against women and girls in Katsina, and across Nigeria. The forum made the call through its Coordinator in Katsina, Dr. Binta Ado-Ali, in marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the FAWE coordinator said that this year’s campaign comes at a time when digital spaces have become both essential and perilous for women and girls. While technology expands access to education, leadership, and opportunities, it has also created new forms of violence. This violence includes cyberbullying, online harassment, non-consensual sharing of images, cyberstalking, misinformation, and coordinated digital attacks targeting women and girls.
“No girl or woman should ever be silenced, intimidated, or harmed simply for being online. Digital violence is real; it leaves deep emotional, psychological, and educational scars. FAWE is committed to safeguarding the digital rights, dignity, and well-being of girls and women across Nigeria,” she reiterated. Ado-Ali further raised alarm that digital violence discourages girls from participating in online learning, leadership, public discourse, and innovation.
According to Ado-Ali, many institutions lack strong policies or reporting mechanisms for online harassment, therefore survivors often remain silent due to stigma, fear, or lack of support. The coordinator urged governments to enforce strong laws that protect women and girls from all forms of digital violence and also strengthen reporting and investigation mechanisms within law enforcement.
The forum also urged educational institutions to integrate digital safety, cyber ethics, and gender-responsive technology policies into school systems, and provide safe reporting channels for students and staff. She advised, “Parents and communities should also promote open conversations about online safety, support girls and young women to use digital platforms confidently and safely. The media should report on digital violence responsibly, ethically, and without victim-blaming. The media also amplifies positive stories of women and girls leading safely in digital spaces.”
According to her, throughout the campaign, FAWE is, therefore, advocating for gender-responsive digital policies in Katsina and beyond, as empowering girls in digital spaces is essential for Nigeria’s future.