Edo State has launched a new front in its campaign against gender-based violence, formally pledging to protect women and girls from a rising tide of online abuse and digital harassment. The commitment was declared as the state government expanded its network of support centers and intensified training for its anti-GBV committees .
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, outlined the government's position during events marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls . She stated that perpetrators of both physical and online violence will be prosecuted . This year's global theme, "Unite to Prevent Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls," highlights a rapidly growing dimension of abuse carried out through digital platforms .
Authorities acknowledge that technology offers new opportunities but has also created fresh spaces for harm. Digital violence includes cyber-bullying, online harassment, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, cyber-stalking, identity theft, and hate speech . The psychological and emotional impacts of these acts are described as devastating, with a limitless reach that can follow victims anywhere and anytime .
The pledge against online violence coincides with the physical expansion of services for survivors on the ground. The Edo State Government, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other partners, has officially launched a new Gender-Based Violence Centre in Uromi, located in the Edo Central Senatorial District .
This Uromi centre is the second such government-supported facility in the state. It is designed as a one-stop centre providing comprehensive support to victims . The first centre, known as the Vivian Centre, was launched in Benin City in September 2020, offering free medical treatment, counselling, physiological support, and legal assistance . A third major facility, the Daisy Danjuma Women's Centre, a 100-bed shelter for survivors, was also inaugurated in Benin City in May 2023 .
During the commissioning ceremony for the Uromi centre, the Coordinator of the Office of the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, emphasized that the facility is more than just a building. She called it a "beacon of hope for survivors" and a testament to the state government's commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens . She stressed that understanding the gender pattern of violence, where the majority of victims are women and perpetrators are men, is essential for effective prevention .
Strengthening Systems and Confronting Challenges
Beyond launching new facilities, the state government is working to strengthen the entire system for preventing and responding to GBV. Recently, the state’s Gender-Based Violence Management Committee underwent a two-day capacity-building program organized by the Edo State Government in collaboration with the IOM .
At this training, Mrs. Anani, represented by the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, reaffirmed the administration's dedication to addressing GBV, recognizing its adverse impact on the state's growth and development . She reiterated her office's focus on combating the issue through legislative reforms, establishment of safe spaces, awareness campaigns, and economic empowerment initiatives .
The Protection Officer for IOM, Chibalani Katungu, noted that leaders and decision-makers have a vital role in preventing and responding to GBV. Their influence is essential for shaping policies, driving institutional change, and ensuring survivors receive timely and dignified support .
This governmental action exists alongside persistent advocacy from civil society groups. The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has also recently called for immediate collective action to stop digital violence against women and girls . FIDA's Country Vice President, Eliana Martins, warned that this form of abuse is one of the fastest-growing and pushes women and girls out of essential digital spaces for learning and economic participation . She pointed to weak enforcement of existing laws, like the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, as a key challenge that continues to encourage impunity for offenders .
A separate part of the conversation in Edo State involves women's representation in governance. Over 500 Nigerians have petitioned Governor Monday Okpebholo to honour his campaign promise of ensuring 35% women's representation in his cabinet . This call highlights the broader context of gender equality and inclusion as fundamental to combating systemic discrimination and violence .
The Commissioner for Women Affairs has outlined other concrete steps the government is taking. These include strengthening the enforcement of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, training security agencies and health personnel on survivor care, and promoting digital literacy and safety campaigns in schools and communities . The government has urged parents to guide their children's online interactions and called on technology companies to strengthen reporting systems and protective measures on their platforms .
As the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, assured at the opening of the Uromi centre, the police force is shifting its priority towards care for survivors, focusing on protection, counseling, and healthcare . The new centre, and the state's broader policy shift, aim to provide that safe space for support, both online and off .