Group Launches “16 Days of Activism” to Combat Digital Violence Against Women and Girls

From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

A group known as the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, operating in Nigeria as Partners West Africa-Nigeria, has commenced its annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

The launch was announced in a statement signed by Fatima Ali, Executive Director of Partners West Africa-Nigeria, which was made available to the media in Kaduna.

This year’s campaign, themed “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” will run until Human Rights Day on December 10, 2025. This timing aligns with the global movement that begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Partners West Africa-Nigeria, a women-led non-governmental organization, is dedicated to promoting democratic values, enhancing security governance, and encouraging citizen participation across Nigeria and West Africa. The campaign is a response to the increasing prevalence of online abuse.

The group has highlighted various forms of digital harm, including online harassment, cyberbullying, blackmail, sextortion, tracking, misinformation, identity theft, and deepfake exploitation. These threats often go unnoticed, leaving many women and girls without protection or awareness of their digital rights.

The 16-day program will feature a digital countdown, educational carousels, animated explainers, and interactive online engagements designed to equip citizens with practical digital safety skills and knowledge of existing legal protections, particularly the Cybercrime Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

Activities will be conducted in the organization’s offices in Abuja, Borno, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau, and Kebbi. These include:

– Leadership and community training for traditional and religious leaders, women-led groups, and community structures.
– A national webinar on digital education for girls, bringing together experts, youth, and advocates.
– School sensitization sessions focused on digital safety.
– Online advocacy in partnership with radio stations and newspapers across multiple states.

The campaign will culminate on December 10 with a digital rally, reflections from various states, and a nationwide call to action, urging Nigerians to commit to creating safer online environments for women and girls.

In the statement, Partners West Africa-Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to building safer communities and empowering women and girls to confidently engage in digital spaces. The organization also pledged to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities and promote a society where every individual, regardless of gender, can live free from violence and fear.

Fatima Ali, the Executive Director, emphasized that the initiative is rooted in the belief that every woman and girl deserves the right to speak freely, learn openly, and fully participate in society—both online and offline. “Through advocacy, partnerships, and community engagement, we continue to champion a future where women and girls can thrive with confidence, safety, and dignity,” she added.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign aims to raise national awareness of digital gender-based violence and strengthen the legal and community frameworks necessary to protect vulnerable populations across Nigeria and the broader West African region.