From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
A Faith-based Gender Justice Movement –Side by Side, Benue State Chapter has lamented over the rapidly rising incident of digital violence against women, urging government at all level to act and stem the tide.
Co-chair Side by Side Archibishop Cephas Okwori made the lamentation on Tuesday in Makurdi at the flag off of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2025 with the theme:, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
He said although digital penetration in some parts of Benue remains uneven, the use of mobile phones, social media platforms, messaging apps, and digital services is rising rapidly across urban communities, among youth, and even within displaced populations.
The co-chair said this year’s campaign highlights the growing threats women and girls face in online and technology-facilitated spaces — including online harassment, image-based abuse, cyberstalking, gendered disinformation, and coercive digital control — and calls for urgent action to prevent and respond to these harms.
He said, “as access increases, women and girls in Benue face both new opportunities and new risks: perpetrators can use digital tools to stalk, harass, exploit, shame, or threaten survivors; deepfakes and image-based abuse can retraumatize victims and spread rapidly across networks; and misinformation can fuel stigma and silence survivors.
“These digital harms compound the already serious offline risks—intimate partner violence, sexual exploitation, early marriage, and conflict-related abuse—making prevention and survivor support more complex.
“We call on the Benue State Government, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Youth, security agencies, telecom providers, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and development partners to:- Recognize technology-facilitated gender-based violence as part of the GBV landscape in Benue- Invest in digital literacy, reporting mechanisms, and survivor services; and- Support community outreach that prevents online abuse while protecting freedom of expression and access to information.
“Digital spaces must be safe spaces. The Side-by-Side Gender Justice Movement Benue Chapter pledges to work with partners to ensure women and girls in Benue can participate in public and digital life free from fear, harassment and exploitation.
“Side by Side is a faith-inspired movement committed to gender justice and the elimination of violence against women and girls. The Benue Chapter works with faith leaders, youth, community groups, government and partners to promote safe, equitable communities where everyone’s rights are respected”.
