Abuja: The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and its partners have intensified their efforts to tackle online abuse targeted at women and girls. This initiative has led to the launch of new research and stakeholder training programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report, titled ‘The Digital Harm Effect: Confronting Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa: A Case Study of Nigeria and Kenya,’ was unveiled in Abuja, in partnership with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kenya, and supported by the United Nations Trust Fund (UNTF).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Research Lead and Editor of the report, noted the growing misuse of digital platforms to perpetrate abuse across Sub-Saharan Africa. The report highlights the prevalence, forms, and far-reaching impacts of technology-enabled violence across the region, detailing issues such as online harassment, cyberstalking, image-based abuse, and other forms of digital violence targeting women and girls.
Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi emphasized the significant gaps identified through the research, including widespread stigma and underreporting. The findings reveal that many young women face severe online threats, with some contemplating suicide due to the abuse they experience. The research also uncovered cases where online business platforms, offering small-scale financial support, have exploited women using digital tools. The project has reached 2,000 people across Nigeria and Kenya.
Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, Acting Executive Director of WARDC, stressed the importance of educating the public, particularly women and girls, on navigating digital spaces safely. She called for the establishment of laws and policies to address challenges related to technological advancements such as AI. Empowering women and girls involves educating them on privacy settings, responsible online behavior, and digital etiquette to ensure safe online communication and engagement.
Dr. Adedayo Laniyi-Benjamins, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, highlighted the need to directly challenge technology-driven, gender-based violence in terms of perception and justice delivery. She stressed the importance of identifying perpetrators and holding them accountable, urging individuals to report threats to appropriate authorities.
Evelyn Ugbe, Executive Director of the Centre for Redefining Alternative Civic Engagement for Africa (RACE), emphasized the use of AI to manipulate images and videos, contributing to the mental and psychological trauma of survivors of technology-facilitated violence without access to psychosocial support. RACE is working to establish digital safety clubs in schools to equip educators and students with the skills to use technology responsibly and has established the Feminist Digital Watch, a safe space for survivors of online gender-based violence.
The initiative aims to bridge gaps in access to mental health, legal, and psychosocial support while promoting collective advocacy, learning, and empowerment. The book is part of a broader project aimed at strengthening inter-generational movements to demand accountability, combat emerging digital threats, and promote coordinated action among women’s rights groups.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that various stakeholders, including women rights advocates, media practitioners, and others, attended the event to share experiences, exchange strategies, and advance collective responses to the growing challenge of technology-facilitated violence.