The Edo Government has charged youths in the State to use their online influence to promote respect for women and girl and to reject harmful behaviors against them.
This is even as it called on all citizens to join the movement to build a safer digital and physical spaces for women.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, stated this on Tuesday in Benin, at the commencement of activities lined up to mark this year’s international day for the elimination of violence against women and girls, reiterated the State’s commitment to the safety of all women and girls, both offline and online and that perpetrators of digital violence face the full weight of the law.
She noted that while in today’s digital world, technology offers unprecedented opportunities, it has also opened new spaces for violence.
She enumerated the various violence against women and girls to include cyber-bullying, online harassment, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, cyber-stalking, identity theft, trafficking recruitment through social media, hate speech and targeted attacks, online radicalization and manipulation.
“This year’s global theme: “Unite to Prevent Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”, draws attentionto the rapidly growing, but often overlooked dimension of gender-based violence, namely, online abuse and harm perpetrated through digital platforms.
“Digital violence is real, its psychological, emotional, social, and sometimes physical impacts just as devastating,as offline violence and because it can follow victims anywhere, anytime, its reach is limitless.
“As a government, we cannot allow the digital world, where our children specifically, our daughters learn, socialize, and build their futures, to become a space of fear, intimidation and harm,” she said.
Abdallah explained that the State Government has taken significant steps to strengthen the protection of women and girls, including: establishing and expanding Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Benin City, and Uromi.
Other steps include strengthening enforcement of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law and provisions, Training social workers, counsellors, security agencies officers, and health personnel on providing safety, survivor care and psychosocial support, enhancing collaboration with the Nigeria Police, Civil Defense, NAPTIP, the Ministry of Justice, civil society, and technology partners to address all forms of GBV, promoting digital literacy and safety campaigns in schools, communities, and youth spaces.
While calling on all citizens of the State to join the movement to build a safer digital and physical spaces, Abdallah urged parents and guardians to monitor and their guide children’s online interactions, and teachers and schools to integrate digital safety education into daily learning.
She also charged technology and telecoms companies to strengthen reporting systems, and to include protective measures on their platforms, even as she called on the youths to use their online influence to promote respect, and reject harmful behaviours.
“These efforts reflect our unyielding dedication to safeguarding every woman and girl across Edo State.
“Ending digital violence requires all of us. When we unite, we create online and offline environments, where women and girls can thrive without fear,” she said.
