The Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) joins the global community to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed annually from 25th November to 10th December. This year’s campaign theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” draws attention to the growing prevalence of online harassment, abuse, and exploitation targeting women and girls in digital spaces.
Digital violence, ranging from online harassment to non-consensual sharing of personal content, represents a serious violation of human rights. WRAPA recognizes that as the digital world expands, so too does the risk of abuse, threatening the safety, dignity, and equality of women and girls.
As part of this year’s campaign, WRAPA calls for:
- Strengthened Legal and Policy Frameworks: Governments, tech companies, and civil society must work together to ensure that laws and enforcement mechanisms effectively prevent and address digital violence.
- Community Engagement: Traditional and religious leaders, community groups, and individuals should actively promote awareness, encourage responsible digital behaviour, and support survivors.
- Empowerment and Support for Survivors: Women and girls must have access to digital literacy, safe reporting channels, and survivor-centred support services.
WRAPA emphasizes that ending digital violence is not only a matter of safety but also a precondition for equality, inclusion, and freedom in the 21st century. We urge all stakeholders, government agencies, civil society, technology platforms, communities, and individuals, to UNiTE to create safe, inclusive, and empowering digital spaces for women and girls.
Let us commit to action beyond these 16 days and work collectively to ensure that women and girls can navigate both physical and digital spaces free from violence, fear, and discrimination.
Signed,
WRAPA Nigeria
