Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
The Zonta Club, Ibadan, has called for urgent and united action to end what it called rising tide of digital violence against women and girls in the country.
The club made the appeal at a press conference held in Ibadan to mark this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, with the theme, “Unite to end digital violence against all women and girls.”
The President, Zonta Club 2, Zontian Eniola Oyedele, said digital platforms are meant to promote learning, connection and productivity, not fear, stating that the increasing rate of online bullying and blackmail experienced by women and girls in the country today are unacceptable.
According to her, digital violence has become one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse, worsening gender inequalities and pushing many women and girls out of online spaces, disclosing that the club had launched a 16-day of activism against online and digital violence on women and girls in the country.
Oyedele lamented that inspite of laws against cyberbullying, weak enforcement, anonymity of perpetrators, inadequate digital literacy and insufficient accountability from technology companies continue to fuel impunity.
On her part, President, Zonta Club 1, Zontian Christianah Nnnana, said common forms of online abuse include harassment, cyberbullying, trolling, doxing, image-based abuse, online stalking, hate speech, impersonation, gaslighting and sextortion.
She warned that the acts leaves deep psychological, reputational scars and deprived women and girls of opportunities offered by technology.
She expressed the solidarity of the club with survivors of gender-based violence, lauding institutions and advocates working tirelessly to protect women and girls across the country.
A member of the club, Zontian Olanike Orolugbagbe, called for public awareness campaigns to promote digital literacy and responsible online conduct, noting that safe online spaces are essential for survivors to speak out and access justice.
She said: “Digital violence against women and girls must not be trivialised or dismissed as free speech because dignity and privacy of women and girls must be protected both online and offline.”
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