Centre for Teens Health and Development (Centre4teens) Calls for Urgent Action to End Gender-Based Violence and Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls

As the world continues the global campaign of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Centre for Teens Health and Development (Centre4teens) reaffirms its commitment to protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls both offline and online.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations, affecting millions of women and girls across communities. Today, a growing dimension of this crisis, digital violence is putting more women and girls at risk through cyberbullying, online harassment, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, stalking, sextortion, impersonation, and technology-enabled abuse.

These forms of violence are not “less harmful” simply because they occur online. They destroy lives, silence voices, damage mental health, limit opportunities, and reinforce harmful gender inequalities.

Speaking on this rising trend, Morenikejimi Olaniran, Executive Director/ project lead stated:

“In today’s digital world, violence has extended beyond physical spaces. Women and teenage girls are being attacked in their most personal spaces, on their phones, social media platforms, and digital communities. This must stop. We must protect the rights of women and girls in every space, including online.”

As an organization working directly with teenagers, especially girls in underserved communities, the Centre highlights the urgent need for education, proactive reporting systems, stronger digital safety policies, community awareness, and survivor-centered support systems.

Centre4teens Calls for Collective Action Across All Sectors

To effectively combat GBV and digital violence, Centre4teens is calling on:

Government agencies
• To strengthen legal frameworks addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
• To enforce existing laws that criminalize harassment, cyberstalking, and the non-consensual distribution of images.

Technology companies & social media platforms
• To prioritize safety features for women and girls.
• To improve reporting mechanisms and ensure swift action against perpetrators.

Schools, communities, and parents
• To educate young people about digital safety, consent, and respectful online behavior.
• To create safe spaces for teenagers to speak up without fear of shame or stigma.

Civil society organizations
• To continue advocacy, survivor support, and community interventions that address both offline and online forms of violence.

Our Ongoing Efforts

Centre4teens continues to:
• Provide education on digital safety and healthy online behavior for teenagers.
• Partner with Organizations that focus on GBV and safe referrals for survivors of GBV.
• Lead advocacy campaigns in underserved communities.
• Engage boys and men as allies through transformative gender education.

A Call for Solidarity

As we mark the 16 Days of Activism, the Centre urges Nigerians and the global community, to stand united in saying NO to all forms of violence against women and girls. Every girl has the right to live, learn, dream, and thrive without fear on the streets, in their homes, and equally, in digital spaces.

Violence in any form is unacceptable. Safety online is a human right.