By Uche Onyeali
West African Action Network on Small Arms, WAANSA, has intensified grassroots advocacy against Gender-Based Violence, GBV, in Anambra State, taking its campaign to a church, major market and a school.
The outreach is part of activities marking the Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Led by the Director of Gender, WAANSA Nigeria, Anambra State chapter, Kindness Oledibe, the team conducted sensitisation on the theme, ‘UNITE Against Technology-Facilitated GBV.’
The campaign focused on raising awareness about the dangers of physical abuse, as well as emerging digital forms of violence affecting women and girls.
This year’s advocacy aligns with the national campaign spearheaded by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who reaffirmed the sacred value and dignity of every woman and girl in Nigeria.
The minister pledged the federal government’s commitment to end all forms of GBV, describing it as a moral responsibility and a social justice priority.
During the special church service held by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development at Christ the King Catholic Churc, CKC, in Kubwa, Abuja, the minister, represented by the Director of Women Development and Empowerment, Mrs Blessing Anunike, outlined ongoing national efforts to eliminate GBV.
These efforts include the establishment of specialised gender courts, implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, Act, expansion of safe spaces and emergency care, as well as the creation of a National GBV Emergency Response Fund.
She also highlighted ongoing digital empowerment initiatives designed to curb technology-facilitated abuse, noting that government is responding to “pervasive challenges ranging from physical and emotional violence affecting over 28 percent of women aged 15–49 to rising technology-enabled attacks, online harassment and non-consensual distribution of personal content.”
In Anambra State, the advocacy train visited St Michael Catholic Church, Nkpor, where the people were sensitised on GBV prevention and the role of faith-based institutions in protecting vulnerable women and children.
The campaign continued at Onitsha Main Market, engaging traders and market leaders on the increasing risks of online harassment, cyberbullying and AI-generated content targeting women.
The outreach also extended to Bright Future International School, Nkpor Agu, where students and teachers were educated on digital safety, consent, dangers of cyber exploitation and the importance of building a culture of respect both online and offline.
Speaking during the campaign, Oledibe said the rising cases of technology-facilitated GBV call for continuous public education and strengthened laws capable of addressing the evolving nature of crime.
She emphasised the need for collective action from government, civil society, religious institutions, schools and communities to protect the dignity and safety of women and girls.
The 16 Days of Activism runs annually from November 25 to December 10 and brings together, governments, international organisations, activists and communities worldwide to campaign against violence targeting women and girls.
WAANSA called on citizens to join efforts to end GBV, stressing that every woman and girl deserves to live in dignity, free from fear of cyber attack and all kinds of violence.
