Caritas Nigeria, through its UNHCR-funded Protection project in Benue State, joined the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, alongside civil society organizations, yesterday in a sensitisation road walk to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The awareness exercise was held in line with this year’s theme, calling for stronger action to build safer digital spaces and protect women and girls from online violence.
Declaring the event open, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Mrs. Theresa Odachi Ikwue, stressed the urgency of addressing increasing cases of digital abuse targeting women and girls. She noted that online spaces must allow women to speak freely without intimidation, fear, or harassment, and encouraged stakeholders to improve collaboration, reporting structures, and support services for survivors of gender-based violence.
Civil society organizations present shared goodwill messages, reaffirming their commitment to preventing and responding to all forms of GBV. They also highlighted the prevalence of cyberbullying, online stalking, non-consensual sharing of intimate content, and other digital violations, while emphasizing the need for sustained advocacy, public education, and community engagement to drive change.
