….calls for men’s support to end gender based violence

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – A nonprofit organization, Fame Foundation, Tuesday, officially launched 2025 16 Days of Activism campaign.

The launch was done by the Executive Director, Fame Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, at a press conference at the headquarters in Abuja.

Atoyebi said the theme of the campaign is ‘UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls’, which the campaign begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on 10 December, Human Rights Day.

She also explained that the dates are symbolic, linking the fight against violence toward women and girls with the struggle for human rights.

She said: “Digital violence is a growing problem in Nigeria. Far too many girls and women are experiencing online harassment, cyberstalking, abusive messaging, and other forms of digital abuse. Too often, these incidents go unreported, leaving victims feeling isolated, unsafe, and unheard.

“The Situation in Nigeria: According to Gatefield’s State of Online Harms 2025 report, about 68.9 million Nigerians face online abuse, including cyberbullying, scams, impersonation, and child sexual exploitation.

“Over half of these victims are women, showing how digital abuse often targets women more.

“The same report, based on data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), found that 97% of children have experienced some form of sexual exploitation online, and 89% have received unwanted sexual content or requests.

“There is also a growing problem in Nigeria of private videos or images being shared online without consent. When this happens, victims face public mockery, harassment, and reputational harm.

“This type of abuse can ruin lives, force people offline, and make women and girls afraid to speak out or participate in online spaces.

“We call on all stakeholders government, media, civil society, tech companies, communities, men, and boys to step up. Support survivors, speak out against abuse, and help create safe digital spaces.

“To women and girls, we say: your voice matters. You are not alone. We see you, we hear you, and we will stand with you.ClosingDigital spaces should connect us, not harm us. They should empower, not intimidate. Together, over the next 16 days and beyond, we can UNITE to end digital violence against all women and girls.”

Meanwhile, according to her, digital violence is not “just online.” It has consequences for mental health, safety, and opportunities.

“Survivors often experience trauma, reputational harm, and economic loss. Many feel compelled to self-censor, withdraw from public life, or even leave social media entirely.

However, the Fame Foundation boss said despite Nigeria has laws such as the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, enforcement remains inconsistent, as many survivors do not come forward due to fear, stigma, or distrust in the system.

She also stated that her organization is not relenting as the voice of the oppressed and abused, hence, for over the next 16 days, the organization will run a series of activities to raise awareness, educate communities, and empower women and girls; hosting webinars on digital safety innovations, panel discussion on men as allies, encouraging men to challenge harmful norms and actively support women and girls.

Other means to create awareness and fight against the menace include playlets, podcasts, and video messages to encourage girls to speak out, engaging youth and sports communities through surveys, live sessions with coaches on safe sport and reporting abuse, social media quizzes, video pledges, field interviews, and community activities with local sports clubs.

Also, the Director, Programmes, FAME Foundation, Kemisola Ibitoye, said the organization had taken perpetrators to court, and had also engaged with community leaders including religious and traditional leaders to reduce the menace.

In a remark, the Project Assistant, Fame Foundation, Jeffrey Edung, made it known that the youth are being engaged and sensitized to occupy themselves with meaningful things and give respect to the girls and women, and not to harass them.

highlight a series of activities planned for the 16-day period, including webinars on digital safety, panel discussions on the role of men as allies, and multimedia advocacy designed to encourage reporting and amplify survivors’ voices.

“We are producing playlets, podcasts, and video messages to encourage girls to speak out,” she said. “We will engage youth and sports communities through surveys, live sessions with coaches on safe sport, video pledges and community activities, she said.”

She added that every activity was designed to “educate, empower, and mobilise communities across the country.”

Meanwhile, Project Assistant, of the Foundation Jeffrey Edung, call on women and girls to speak out. “Your voice matters. You are not alone. We see you, we hear you, and we will stand with you,” she said.

He added that digital spaces should be tools for empowerment. “They should connect us, not harm us. Together, we can unite to end digital violence against all women and girls.”