FIDA Badagry Demands Zero Tolerance for Digital Violence Against Women, Girls

Funmi Ogundare

The Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Badagry Branch, Lady Edith Uduji, weekend, called for a total crackdown on digital violence against women and girls.

She warned that online abuse has become one of the fastest-growing and most harmful forms of gender-based violence in Nigeria and globally.

Speaking during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, in Lagos, Uduji said digital platforms, despite their potential for development, have increasingly become spaces of fear, harm, harassment, intimidation, and psychological damage for many women and girls.

“Digital violence is real. It is rising quickly, and it destroys dignity, silences women and girls, and must not be tolerated,” she stated.

Uduji noted that women; ranging from politicians and journalists to employees, widows, housewives and young girls, are frequently targeted with hate speech, impersonation, cyberbullying, sexual harassment, doxxing, non-consensual sharing of intimate images and other online violations.

She warned that digital abuse is rooted in social inequality and worsens long-standing power imbalances, further hindering women’s participation in public and private life.

While commending the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2024, especially Sections 24–27, the chairperson  said enforcement remains a major challenge due to low awareness among minors, parents, educators and even law enforcement officers.

She added that the borderless nature of the internet makes prosecuting offenders difficult, especially when perpetrators hide their identity.

“It is one thing to have an opinion; it is another to know when you have crossed the line,” she said, noting that freedom of expression does not give anyone the right to humiliate or violate others’ privacy.

Uduji outlined key recommendations to curb digital violence, including: ensuring victims receive justice without fear or shame, immediate removal of harmful content by digital platforms, encouraging victims to speak out and receive psychological support, integrating digital safety into school curricula, stronger reporting mechanisms to track abusers, collaboration among FIDA, IT experts, law enforcement and other stakeholders to raise awareness

She emphasised that protecting women and girls is essential for national development and digital safety.

“Digital violence strips victims of dignity and silences their voices. There should be no excuse for digital violence against women and girls,” she said.