The Sustainable Gender Action Initiative (SGAI), in collaboration with UN Women and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has intensified grassroots mobilization against technology-facilitated gender-based violence across communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Executive Director of SGAI, Dr. Mufuliat Fijabi, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during a community outreach held in the Kabusa community. She highlighted the urgent need to address online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing and other forms of technology-facilitated violence.
Fijabi said the outreach was part of activities marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, themed “UNITE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
She noted that many young women in the community remained vulnerable due to limited digital literacy and inadequate access to reporting mechanisms.
According to her, the initiative aims to empower women and girls with knowledge, support networks and safe online practices.
“This will enhance their confidence to participate meaningfully in digital spaces while resisting and reporting online exploitation.
“We know that most of them use Android phones and are active on social media platforms like Facebook, where they share pictures and communicate.
“At times, when things go wrong and it becomes emotional violence, they don’t know who to turn to. That is why we are here—to give them the information and knowledge needed to identify, prevent and report such cases,” she explained.
Mrs. Theresa Kuma, Assistant Director, Violence Against Persons Department at NAPTIP, underscored the agency’s role in preventing, investigating and prosecuting GBV cases.
“We sensitize communities so they can be informed, supported and protected against violence and harmful traditional practices.
“We provide psychosocial support, and when cases are reported, we counsel survivors, offer medical services, investigate and prosecute offenders,” she said.
The Chief of Kabusa Community, Samuel Kpowu, urged residents to work collectively to end all forms of violence and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that perpetrators are reported and prosecuted according to the law.
Some community members expressed gratitude to the organizers for the sensitization exercise and the donation of relief items.
Fatima Salihu said, “I didn’t know much about GBV before, but I now understand the early signs of violence, the different forms—including digital GBV—and the appropriate authorities to report to.”
Similarly, Mrs. Nonye Chukwukah promised to pass the lessons on to others, especially young women and girls, to raise awareness about digital violence.
“We now understand that online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual sharing of pictures and other technology-related forms of violence can occur without physically meeting the perpetrator.
“I will educate other women, especially young girls, on prevention and where to report such cases,” she said.
Activities at the event included interactive sessions on digital GBV, early warning signs of violence and the role of NAPTIP in combating gender-based violence.
