Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, Grace Ike, has called for stronger collective action to eliminate gender-based violence, including the growing threat of digital abuse targeting women and girls.
In a statement on Wednesday marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Ike said this year’s campaign theme, “End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” underscores the need to tackle both physical and online forms of abuse with equal urgency.
She emphasised that the global campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10, demands united efforts from men, women, boys, and girls to create safer communities and digital spaces.
Ike also recounted experiencing targeted online harassment and intimidation during the NUJ FCT 2024 elections—an episode she said highlighted the seriousness of digital violence and its potential to silence women in leadership.
According to her, gender-based violence remains a grave human rights violation that undermines victims’ dignity, health, freedom, and participation in society. She urged Nigerians to challenge harmful cultural norms, report abuse, and advocate for safe environments at home, in workplaces, and online.
The NUJ FCT chairman stressed the media’s responsibility in exposing gender-based violence, amplifying survivors’ voices, and demanding accountability. She reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to inclusive reporting and collaboration with stakeholders to strengthen legal protections, support survivors, and promote policies that curb digital violence.
Ike called for a shift from awareness to concrete action, urging all members of society to speak out against abuse and support victims.
“Together, we must build a society where dignity, respect, equality, and safety prevail—both offline and online,” she said.
