Experts Call For Stronger Action Against Digital Violence In Osun

A cross-section of experts and University students on Thursday called for stronger enforcement of policies against digital violence as the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, held the 2025 “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls” programme in Osogbo.

The event, which took place at the Oso-Gram Multi-Purpose Hall, Osogbo, featured a keynote address by the guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Mrs. Margaret Olusola Oluyamo, a Chief Lecturer at the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun.

Speaking during her presentation, Rev. Dr. Oluyamo, who holds a PhD in Yoruba Literature, described technology-enabled gender-based violence as “a crime against humanity,” stressing that cyberstalking, online dragging, unauthorised sharing of private content, and other forms of digital abuse degrade human dignity.

“Our cyberspace should be used to promote growth, development and the dignity of the human person, men, women and children alike,” she said.

She urged the government to fully implement existing policies and encouraged victims of cyber-abuse to speak out.

“This is a serious issue that must not continue to thrive in our society,” she added.

A panel session followed the keynote, featuring contributions from stakeholders working across law, youth advocacy and student representation.

Barrister Kayode Titiloye, a member of the Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, highlighted the importance of legal awareness in combating digital abuse.

He emphasised that many victims do not know their rights under Nigeria’s cybercrime-related laws and urged stronger public education and timely prosecution of offenders to deter violations.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Osun State Chapter, Comrade Akinbode Olakolupo, said young people are among the most affected by online harassment and misinformation.

He called for more digital literacy programmes targeting youths to help them identify, resist and report online abuse.

According to him, empowering young people with the right knowledge is “critical to reducing the spread of harmful behavior online.”

The Vice President of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union Government (OAU SUG), Comrade Falade Iyanuoluwa, stressed the need to sensitize secondary school students on the need to protect themselves, and protect their nudes by all costs.

She appealed to institutions and government agencies to collaborate on prevention, reporting mechanisms and psychosocial support for student victims.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Barrister Mrs Abimbola Babatunde, represented by Director Gender Ms Lola Adewale stated that digital violence against girls is a serious issue, saying online harassment, cyberbullying, and exploitation can have severe consequences on young girls’ mental health and well-being.

Barrister Babatunde said there is the need to work together to create a safer online space for girls, by promoting digital literacy and online safety education.

Also the representative of ActionAid Nigeria, Ms Gladys Imoh highlighting the gender development work of the organisation, commended the participants for paying attention to the discussions and choosing to become ambassadors of No-GBV through their commitment.

She said the project sponsored by Ford Foundation across selected states in Nigeria is targeted to aid Prevention of Tech Facilitated Gender Based Violence.

Similarly, the Chairman, Multistakeholders Action Committee on Prevention of Gender Based Violence in Osun state, Oba Dr Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin Aroyinkeye-1 Orangun of Oke-Ila, appreciated everyone for being passionate about ending GBV in the state.

The monarch who stated that women and girls have the right not to be harassed, abused or bullied, advised the University students to use their android phones in compliance to the law, and not through negativity which could make them to come in conflict with the law.

Speaking through one of the committee members, the Osun NAWOJ Chairperson, Comrade Abisola Ariwodola, said that protection of women and girls is paramount and all forms of Gender Based Violence must be ended, particularly Tech Facilitated GBV, seen almost everyday on media platforms.