 |
| Photo by Walls.io on Unsplash |
Hashtags like #EndDigitalViolence and #UniteAgainstAbuse fill our feeds during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. We share posts, re-tweet powerful messages, and voice our support. But what happens after we hit “post”? Does the conversation stop when the hashtags fade from our timelines? The reality is that real change starts beyond the hashtags.
 |
| Photo by Adem AY on Unsplash |
Ever heard the saying “evil evolves”? It is painfully true. No matter how far humanity travels, no matter how many breakthroughs we celebrate or hard-won agreements we reach, those determined to harm always find new terrain. The internet and the smartphone — two of the most transformative inventions of our age — should have been pure gifts, widening opportunity, shrinking distance, expanding possibility. Yet in the hands of the worst among us, they have become megaphones for the kind of venom that used to hide in locker rooms, dim parlors, and back-alley whispers.
 |
| Photo by mulugeta wolde on Unsplash |
Vee was only 24 when she walked into a radio station, asking for help; all she needed was for someone to listen to her. She met someone on a social media platform. He was nice, handsome, and romantic, so she thought she had met the man of her dreams. He wasn’t rich, but he was comfortable and had great ideas for the future, and their conversations were focused on career and growth. Indeed, she had met her soulmate, or so she thought.
 |
| Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash |
By Ramatu Ada Ochekliye
Every year, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women forces us to pause and take stock of how far we have come and how much work still lies ahead. This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” feels especially urgent. The online world has become an extension of our lives, and with all its promise has come new kinds of harm. For many women and girls in Nigeria, that harm is constant, unrelenting, and deeply personal.
 |
| Panel Session on 'Driving Ownership of Anti-SGBV Safeguarding Practices Across Nigerian Tertiary Institutions'. Image Credit: Shehu Musa Yar'adua Foundation |
By Cynthia Umeh
On November 28, 2024, the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, with support from Ford Foundation, and in partnership with Education as a Vaccine, Gender Mobile, and TechHer Nigeria, hosted a public policy forum titled, ‘Driving Ownership of Anti-SGBV Safeguarding Practices Across Nigerian Tertiary Institutions’. This event aimed to address the pervasive issue of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Nigerian tertiary institutions and to discuss actionable strategies for creating safer campuses.
 |
| Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels |
By Pius Onyebujor
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a global problem crossing cultural, economic, and geographic boundaries, affecting individuals, families, and communities. Unfortunately, Africa faces some of the highest rates of GBV globally due to factors such as poverty, conflict, and deeply rooted patriarchal systems.
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains a pervasive issue in Nigeria, with survivors often facing multiple barriers when seeking support and rehabilitation. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes legal, psychological, cultural, and healthcare interventions.
 |
| Photo by Blue Ox Studio on Pexels |
By Pius Onyebujor
Twelve-year-old Ella watched her mother standing in the middle of the street shouting at the top of her voice at Uncle Sunny. The ground was littered with a million broken pieces of what was once a couple of bottles yet, her mother's feet didn't bleed.
 |
| Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels |
By Marire Adebanjo
Workplace harassment and violence against women remain one pressing issue worldwide, cutting across industries, professions, and cultural divides. Despite advancements in gender equality, reports continue to highlight the pervasive nature of these abuses, which hinder women’s ability to thrive professionally and emotionally. In 2024, efforts to combat these issues have gained momentum, yet significant gaps persist, requiring urgent attention and sustained action.
 |
| Photo by Mariana Montrazi on Pexels |
By Ruth Ajawu
“A girl should be seen and not heard”, my mother has always said.