Edo unveils policy to tackle digital GBV

The Edo State Government has introduced a comprehensive Policy Framework on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) to combat digital abuse.

Unveiled at the 17th Quarterly Meeting of the Edo Gender-Based Violence Management Committee in Benin, the policy seeks to enhance all aspects of addressing digital violence, from prevention and reporting to protection, response, and accountability. The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, convened various stakeholders including government officials, security agencies, the judiciary, health workers, development partners, civil society organizations, and youth representatives.

Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, chairwoman of the committee, reiterated the government's dedication to fostering a society free from violence, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. She highlighted the state's GBV clubs in secondary schools, designed to educate young people about their rights, healthy relationships, and violence prevention. Okpebholo-Anani emphasized that early education is crucial for raising a generation that rejects violence and champions positive social change. She acknowledged that while technology has transformed communication, it has also created new avenues for harassment, threats, stalking, cyberbullying, and other forms of abuse against women, girls, and vulnerable individuals.

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technology had transformed communication and interaction but had also created new avenues through which women, girls and vulnerable persons could experience harassment, threats, stalking, cyberbullying and other forms of abuse.

The TFGBV policy provides a structured approach to strengthening prevention, protection, reporting, referrals, survivor-centered services, response, and accountability mechanisms. An implementation sub-committee has been formed to oversee the policy's rollout, monitor progress, identify challenges, and report findings. Okpebholo-Anani urged committee members to bolster referral pathways, survivor services, data systems, prevention programs, community engagement, and accountability measures. She also expressed gratitude to RoLAC for its vital technical and strategic support in strengthening policies and coordination efforts.

Eugenia Abdallah, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, described the policy as a timely intervention against escalating digital violence. She identified emerging forms of gender-based violence facilitated by technology, including cyberstalking, online sexual harassment, cyberbullying, threats, impersonation, identity abuse, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, sextortion, and technology-enabled exploitation. Abdallah stated that the policy will actively promote digital literacy, public awareness campaigns, school-based learning, and community engagement to create a safer digital environment.

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The policy is a timely response to digital violence, saying it would promote digital literacy, public awareness, school-based learning and community engagement.