As digital spaces increasingly shape social, political, and economic life, ensuring the safety and dignity of young women is essential to achieving gender equality and inclusive development.
These were the words of the Executive Director of the Sustainable Gender Action Initiative, Mufuliat Fijabi at the Kabusa Community Outreach the SGAI organised in partnership with UN Women, Nigeria, and in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The Community Outreach programme, held at the Sakabusayi’s Palace and led by Chief Samuel Kpowu, targets 100 women from the Kabusa Community.
The Conversations and short talks during the outreach are targeted at bringing global conversations to the local levels and taking key matters arising from the local communities to the national and global arena to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against all forms of Gender Based Violence.
“Engaging young women in rural communities is particularly critical, as they often face limited digital literacy, inadequate access to reporting mechanisms, and heightened vulnerability to online exploitation,” Fijabi said.
“Empowering them with knowledge, support networks, and safe digital practices builds their confidence to participate fully in online platforms and to resist and report technology-based harm. By raising awareness, strengthening community dialogue, and connecting rural young women to available protection and legal services, the 2025 campaign seeks to close the digital safety gap and amplify the voices of those most affected yet often least heard.”
Fijabi reiterated the need for women to always recognize the early warning signs of violence against women and girls and should learn to speak out should their rights be violated. She also called their attention to violence through the use of phones and other forms of digital gender based violence and also encouraged them to report any form of abuse.
The Outreach was held as part of the Year 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls Abuse”, highlights the urgent need to address the growing prevalence of online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing, and other forms of technology-facilitated violence
SGAI plays a vital leadership role in this year’s campaign, building on its longstanding commitment to advancing gender justice and women’s rights in Nigeria. Through previous efforts, including community sensitization on digital safety, training of grassroots women leaders, advocacy for stronger cyber protection laws, and the gendered dimensions of online violence, SGAI has consistently championed the protection of women’s digital rights.
During this year’s 16 Days of Activism, SGAI has mobilized deeply committed volunteers who are helping with digital advocacy on ending Digital gender based violence and amplifying survivor-centred messaging to ensure that young women across rural communities and globally stand strong, informed, and protected in digital spaces.
In his goodwill MESSAGE, Chief Samuel Kpowu, the Sakabusayi of KABUSA, commended SGAI for bringing global discussions into the community level. He called on the government to always sustain its support at the community levels to ensure sure full implementation of its policies on the prevention of gender based violence.
Chief Kpowu also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the rights of women in the entire Kabusa community.
Representatives of NAPTIP spoke exetensively on the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act and its full operarionalisation in the FCT .
The NAPTIP team also condemned in its totality all forms of violence against persons and reaffirmed that the agency, as mandated by the Act, is there to provide support and access to justice for victims.
