Omidan Health Initiative Leads National Charge Against Gender-Based and Digital Violence, Amplifying Girls’ Safety Across Nigeria

Omidan Health Initiative has once again taken a bold and unwavering stance against all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with a renewed emphasis on the rising threat of digital violence, a silent but deeply damaging form of abuse affecting thousands of girls and women across Nigeria. Through powerful grassroots action, strategic media advocacy, digital campaigns, and strong leadership from its Founder and Executive Director, Aderonke Olisa, Omidan Health continues to champion the rights, dignity, and safety of every girl and woman.

For Omidan Health Initiative, the fight against GBV is not limited to an annual global campaign, it is a daily mission anchored in the belief that every girl deserves safety, voice, agency, and a community that protects her. As Nigeria’s digital landscape expands, so do the risks. Increasing cases of cyberbullying, online stalking, image-based abuse, non-consensual sharing of intimate content, misinformation, and digital harassment are inflicting deep emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical harm on girls and women. These violations restrict women’s ability to learn, express themselves, innovate, and engage meaningfully in digital and public life.

During the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Aderonke Olisa led Omidan’s advocacy with a powerful message that resonated across communities and digital platforms: “Safety for women must extend beyond the streets and homes; it must include their digital spaces.”

Her activism was not confined to online conversations. A major highlight of this year’s campaign was her feature interview on NewsCentral TV, where she spoke extensively about the alarming rise of digital violence and the urgent need for stronger digital safety laws in Nigeria. She emphasized improvements in reporting systems, better support for survivors, and the importance of equipping young girls with digital literacy, online safety skills, and the confidence to protect themselves in digital spaces. Her voice on national television amplified the experiences of countless women whose stories often go unheard or minimized.

Omidan Health’s message is clear and firm: digital violence is real violence, and it must be addressed with the same urgency as physical and sexual abuse. The organisation’s approach blends empowerment, education, community accountability, healing, and long-term cultural transformation.

“As a Nigerian woman, a public health advocate, and someone who works closely with girls, I see firsthand how digital abuse destroys confidence, silences dreams, and retraumatizes survivors,” Aderonke stated during the campaign. “Omidan Health exists to create safe spaces, online and offline, so that every girl can rise, learn, lead, and live with dignity.”

In line with this mission, the organisation is currently implementing the GIRLS THRIVE Project, a partnership with Primary Health Care Centres in underserved communities to create safe, accessible spaces where adolescent girls can confidentially report cases of gender-based violence. This initiative will further empower girls to speak up, seek help, and take courageous action toward ending GBV in their communities.

The organisation continues to work closely with schools, community leaders, youth networks, and digital platforms to promote safer online environments and strengthen protection systems for girls and young women nationwide.

Omidan Health Initiative stands unwavering in its vision: A Nigeria where every girl and woman lives safe, empowered, connected, and free from all forms of violence physical, emotional, and digital.