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By Ajiri Daniels
The Tabitha Empowerment Centre (TEC), in collaboration with key partner organisations and government agencies, on Saturday mobilised the Kpeyegyi community in Abuja to tackle the rising cases of digital violence against women and girls.
The engagement which held at the Esu of Kpeyegyi Palace, formed part of the ongoing 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, focusing on strengthening male allyship as a central strategy for prevention and community protection.
Bringing together traditional leaders, civil society groups, media representatives, and community stakeholders, the event aimed to raise awareness on the impact of digital abuse, promote responsible online behaviour, and empower men and boys to take an active stand against all forms of gender-based violence. TEC was represented by its Advocacy Officer and In-house Counsel, Barrister Gladys Emmanuel, alongside partner organisations working across human rights, education, disability inclusion, and community development.
In her opening remarks, TEC’s Founder and Executive Director, Mrs. Christina Uzo-Okamgba, described digital violence as one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse, with consequences that often spill from online platforms into physical harm and community destabilisation.
While appreciating the ESU of Kpeyegyi, Chief Joseph Afbawaje, for hosting the sensitisation outreach, Mrs. Uzo-Okamgba told participants that “violence, whether physical, emotional, economic, or online, is not a private issue. It is a community issue, a leadership issue, and a humanity issue.” She emphasised the critical role of men and boys in promoting safer digital spaces, noting that sustainable change depends on their active involvement as allies, protectors, and advocates for positive behavioural norms.
During the event which also featured a press conference, representatives from key partner organisations shared practical strategies for preventing digital abuse and protecting women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
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Olubiyi Damilare from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) highlighted the expansion of gender-based violence into digital spaces, citing cyberstalking, online harassment, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images as key concerns. He reminded participants that these offences carry penalties under the Cybercrime Act of 2015 (reviewed 2024) and urged community leaders to educate young people, especially boys, about responsible technology use and legal consequences.
Mrs. Deborah Life-Alegbemi of the Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS-FCT) addressed the need to tackle all forms of violence, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and digital. She gave practical examples of digital abuse and called for men to become allies, highlighting that peacebuilding begins at home and that the Cybercrime Act remains an essential tool in addressing digital violations.
Jane Ezike from Do Take Action commended TEC for mobilising stakeholders to address digital violence and reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to empowering communities to take responsibility for sustainable development, including ending violence against women and girls. She called on men and boys to actively protect women and girls online and offline, emphasising that collective responsibility is vital in preventing digital abuse. She also highlighted Do Take Action’s grassroots initiatives aimed at strengthening digital safety awareness and promoting accountability.
Irene Igomu of the Girls Education Access Initiative (GEAI) presented an education-focused approach to preventing gender-based and digital violence, advocating for curriculum reforms to remove gender stereotypes, promote respect, and highlight the consequences of GBV. She encouraged teacher training on inclusive practices, the empowerment of girls as leaders, and leveraging social media influencers to shape positive behaviour among youth. She also proposed incentive-based reporting mechanisms to encourage the reporting and investigation of incidents of violence.
Rose Daniel from the Network of Women with Disabilities (NWD) drew attention to the “triple jeopardy” faced by women with disabilities: being women, living with disabilities, and experiencing social marginalisation. She shared examples of exploitation by caregivers and inadequate responses from authorities, calling for public awareness campaigns, stronger collaboration across institutions, stricter penalties for perpetrators, and survivor-centred support systems that are accessible to women with disabilities.
Barrister Gladys Emmanuel of Tabitha Empowerment Centre (TEC) outlined a community-centered framework for preventing digital violence, including sustained sensitisation campaigns targeting men and boys, community pledges committing to zero tolerance for digital violence, and active reporting of incidents. She also proposed establishing community champion programmes and anti-GBV committees, ensuring strong participation in survivor support, public education, and early-warning initiatives, and emphasised the crucial role of traditional leaders in embedding culturally responsive interventions.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of the Male Allyship Pledge, where men and boys committed to challenging harmful norms, supporting survivors, reporting online abuse, and promoting safe digital practices. TEC further urged the media to uphold ethical reporting standards by protecting survivor identities, avoiding sensationalism, using evidence-based information, and amplifying solutions that strengthen national advocacy efforts.
The engagement reinforced that ending digital violence requires a combination of legal enforcement, education, community mobilisation, disability inclusion, and strong male allyship. TEC and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to building safer online and offline communities for women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
