Mohamed Fall, United Nations resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, has called for collective efforts toward ending all forms of violence against women and girls.
Mr Fall made the call on Tuesday night in Abuja, during the inauguration of the UN House annual Orange/Lighting and digital violence awareness ceremony to commemorate 16 days of activism against GBV.
”Violence against women is not new, but its shape is changing. It has entered our screens, conversations and digital spaces where we work, learn, and live. Digital abuse is real in form of cyberstalking, sextortion, impersonation, non-consensual images and hate-speech that follows women from one platform to another,” Mr Fall said.
According to him, each message is meant to intimidate, silence, and push a woman out of public life.
“We cannot allow that. Women continue to face unequal access to power and protection. Women remain underrepresented in leadership, even as Nigeria works to expand political inclusion.
“More women are stepping forward, competing and leading. Momentum is growing, and we must protect it,” Mr Fall added.
He said that although physical and sexual violence had declined, technology-facilitated violence was on the increase. This, he said, posed threats to livelihoods, undermining confidence and silencing women in politics, classrooms, workplaces, and in communities.
Mr Fall noted that Nigeria was responding to the challenge, stressing that the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act remained its strong foundation.
“The government is strengthening cybercrime laws, efforts to increase women’s representation at all levels are gaining ground. These steps matter. They advance Goal 5. They move Nigeria closer to a future where equality is real, not rhetorical. But more must be done. We need safer digital spaces. We need stronger enforcement of laws. We need investments in digital literacy for girls and boys,” he said.
Mr Fall called for policies that would protect women online as firmly as offline, while technology companies must act responsibly and transparently.
“Also, communities, families, teachers, religious leaders, activists, and Journalists must stand as defenders of respect and dignity,” he said.
Beatrice Eyong, UN Women representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the event was an international campaign that takes place every year. She said that the event, which commenced on November 25, would climax on December 10, adding that violence against women was the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide.
Ms Eyong said, “This year’s theme speaks to one of the most rapidly expanding and least understood forms of violence affecting women and girls today. Before we discuss digital violence, let us ground ourselves in the broader reality of violence against women and girls in Nigeria.”
The event featured goodwill messages from Muriel Mafico, United Nations Population Fund resident representative in Nigeria (GTG co-chair) and an overview of the 2025 global theme.
(NAN)
