SPRiNG, partners move to curb digital violence in kaduna for 16 days of activism
By Hussaina Yakubu
December 03, 2025
The Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRinG) programme and Tetra Tech International Development, on Wednesday held a roundtable discussion to mark the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, with a focus on tackling digital violence against women and girls.
The meeting, held in Kaduna, centred on the global theme “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
The SPRiNG State Representative, Mr Emmanuel Barau, said the four year Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)-funded intervention seeks to strengthen peace and resilience across communities in the North-West.
Barau said digital violence had become a growing threat to women and girls, noting that the programme continues to support partners working to eliminate all forms of discrimination and abuse.
Earlier in her welcome address SPRiNG consultant, Magdaline Musa, said digital platforms had become major spaces where women and girls face cyberbullying, harassment, impersonation, stalking, image based abuse and hate speech.
She said online abuse limits women’s participation and undermines their dignity, adding that stakeholders must work together to make digital spaces safe and empowering.
A representative of the Commissioner, Ministry of Human Affairs, Mr Umar Abubakar, said the ministry remains committed to protecting women and children.
He said gender based violence is a global challenge but stressed that communities must work collectively to reduce its prevalence.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Mrs Juliana Joseph, Pilot Manager, sexual assult referral centre Kakuri who spoke on “Strengthening Community and Institutional Response to Digital Violence Against Women and Girls in Nigeria.”
Joseph cited a 2024 Gatefield report which showed that 58 per cent of Nigerian women surveyed had experienced online abuse, describing it as a serious and expanding problem.
She listed cyberstalking, online harassment and impersonation as leading forms of abuse.
She identified low reporting, stigma, weak digital safety skills, legal gaps and inadequate institutional response as major obstacles to addressing digital violence.
Her recommendations included policy reforms, improved digital literacy, mandatory online safety education in schools, stronger accountability for digital platforms, increased funding for women’s rights organisations and state and federal action plans on digital safety.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports ,the roundtable formed part of activities lined up for the 16 Days of Activism, an annual global campaign held from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10 to raise awareness and mobilise action against gender based violence.(NAN)
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