The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohamed Fall, has raised concern over the growing rate of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, describing it as one of the fastest-spreading forms of abuse against women and girls.
Fall spoke on Tuesday at the UN House in Abuja during the United Nations and Partners Orange Lighting Convening, held to commemorate the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
He said digital spaces, often viewed as platforms for learning, work and social engagement, had increasingly become channels for harm.
“Violence against women is not new, but its shape is changing. It has entered our screens, conversations and digital spaces where we work, learn and live,” he said.
Fall listed cyberstalking, sextortion, impersonation and the non-consensual sharing of images as among the most prevalent online threats faced by women and girls.
According to him, hate speech and coordinated online attacks continue to push women out of public life.
“Each message meant to intimidate. Each post meant to silence. Each attack meant to push a woman out of public life. We cannot allow that,” he said.
Citing the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey, Fall noted that one in five Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 had experienced physical or sexual violence, adding that while some forms of violence were declining, digital abuse was rising sharply.
He warned that online violence undermines livelihoods, erodes confidence and limits women’s participation in politics, education, workplaces and communities.
The UN official acknowledged steps taken by the Federal Government, including the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, ongoing reforms of cybercrime laws, and efforts to expand women’s representation in leadership.
“These steps matter. They advance Goal 5. They move Nigeria closer to a future where equality is real, not rhetorical,” he said.
Fall, however, called for stronger enforcement mechanisms, safer digital spaces and more investments in digital literacy for children and youths.
He urged technology companies to act responsibly and transparently, while calling on communities — families, teachers, religious leaders and the media — to help protect the dignity of women and girls.
He said the 2025 global theme, “UNiTE! End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” was a reminder that online abuse was not a private issue but a structural and political one requiring collective action.
“The UN in Nigeria stands with the Government, with civil society, and with every survivor who refuses to be silenced,” he said.
The UN estimates that nearly one in three women globally has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, with 85 per cent reporting having experienced or witnessed online abuse. In Nigeria, thousands of gender-based violence cases are recorded annually, with many more unreported due to stigma and limited access to justice.
The rapid growth of internet connectivity and social media use has further exposed women to digital risks, intensifying offline violence and restricting their participation in civic and public life.
