The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Kaduna has urged stronger collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, tech companies, schools and traditional leaders to address rising digital violence against women and girls.
“We need united action. No single stakeholder can solve this problem alone,” State Coordinator Terngu Gwar said on Tuesday during the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Gwar warned that increased online participation has exposed more women and girls to harassment, cyberstalking, bullying, identity theft and image-based abuse.
“Digital platforms create opportunities,” he said, “but they are also being weaponised to intimidate, exploit and silence women and girls.”
He stressed that online abuse has serious psychological and social consequences.
He noted that many incidents go unreported due to stigma, low digital literacy and weak institutional response.
Gwar emphasised that online safety is a constitutional right.
“Digital rights are human rights,” he said. “They are protected under national and international instruments.”
NHRC Expands Interventions
He said the Commission will scale up digital rights awareness, engage youth and women’s groups, track emerging forms of technology-facilitated gender violence, strengthen community reporting systems and offer free legal guidance.
Gwar urged citizens to report all forms of online abuse.
“The responsibility to end digital violence cannot rest on women alone,” he stated. “Families, communities and institutions must all act.”
He reaffirmed the NHRC Kaduna Office’s commitment to supporting survivors and encouraged the public to channel complaints through its official platforms.
