The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called for the adoption and enforcement of gender-responsive cyber laws to tackle technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF-GBV) in Nigeria.
The appeal was made by the organizations Founder, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, in a statement signed by the Acting Executive Director, Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, on Tuesday in Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Akiyode-Afolabi reaffirmed WARDC’s commitment to ending TF-GBV in Nigeria, stressing the need to strengthen survivor support systems, expand digital safety education and push for stronger cyber policies and enforcement mechanisms.
She noted that harassment, stalking, non-consensual image sharing, doxxing and other forms of digital abuse have continued to undermine the safety, freedom of expression and public participation of women and girls.
“Digital spaces should expand women’s rights, not curtail them,” she said.
“During these 16 Days of Activism, we urge government, tech companies, civil society and communities to unite in ending all forms of violence against women—online and offline. Survivors need laws, policies and practices that recognize the harms of digital violence and deliver justice swiftly.”
She called for the urgent adoption of gender-responsive cyber laws that explicitly recognize and criminalize technology-facilitated abuse, including non-consensual image distribution, doxxing and targeted online harassment.
Akiyode-Afolabi also emphasized the need for survivor-centred digital support services, capacity building for law enforcement, the judiciary and regulators, and sustained public education.
According to her, WARDC provides free legal support and litigation to survivors of gender-based violence and has implemented several initiatives to advance women’s rights and access to justice.
She added that the organization has also delivered digital security and online safety training to women activists, survivors and community groups “to equip them with tools to protect themselves online and to document incidents for redress.”
