Journalists push for stronger digital safety policies for women
Journalists push for stronger digital safety policies for women
A media-oriented Non-Governmental Organisation, Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) has advocated stronger policies to promote digital safety for women and girls.
The Executive Director of J4PD, Mrs Elizabeth Kah, stated this on Wednesday during a standstill rally held to mark the 2025 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Kah said the rally was a symbolic action by journalists to “stand still, not in silence, but in strength.”
“We stand for every girl whose voice has been attacked online. We stand for every woman whose pictures were misused, whose identity was stolen, whose dignity was violated on the internet,” she said.
She stressed that digital spaces must become safe spaces for women and girls, adding that their right to speak, learn, work and lead online must be protected.
“We say enough to harassment, enough to cyber-bullying, enough to violence. Today we unite, and together we will end digital violence against women and girls,” she added.
Kah called for stronger government policies and greater accountability from tech platforms, and urged authorities to promote digital literacy and online safety among girls in schools and communities.
She also advocated challenging social norms that normalise online harassment.
Also speaking, Mrs Rashida Yusuf, Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Bauchi State Chapter, called for sustained media advocacy and public enlightenment on preventing and reporting GBV.
She noted that while some cases of abuse are reported, many others remain undocumented.
Yusuf commended J4PD for its continued advocacy on public health and social issues.
A representative of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Dr Kaltume Shu’aibu, encouraged victims of abuse or online harassment to report cases promptly to the appropriate authorities for immediate action.
VMT NEWS reports that participants at the rally were seen displaying placards with inscriptions such as “Let every girl grow up unafraid”, “Inclusion means safety for every woman and girl”, and “Speak out, silence protects abusers.”
No fewer than 10 civil society organisations and government line ministries participated in the activity.
