The President of the Inner Wheel Club of Ado Roses, Margaret Fagboyo, has raised alarm over the growing wave of cyberbullying, online harassment and other forms of digital abuse targeted at women and girls, stressing that violence is no longer confined to physical spaces.
Fagboyo, who spoke on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti at the official launch of activities marking the 2025 16-Day of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, said the digital world has become a new frontier for attacks that silence, shame and endanger women.
Speaking with journalists at an event organised in partnership with the Inclusive Pathway Development Initiative (IPADEV) and the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) with the theme: “Unite! End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”, she called for the urgent need to confront the rise of cyber-enabled abuses such as cyberbullying, online harassment, digital stalking, non-consensual image sharing and technology-facilitated surveillance.
According to her, the 16-day campaign will focus on raising awareness, empowering survivors, educating communities and pushing for safer online environments.
Her words, “Today, we gather with a shared purpose and a united voice to reaffirm our commitment to building a world where every woman and every girl lives free from fear, violence, and discrimination, whether offline or online.
“This year’s global theme, ‘UNiTE! End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls’, reminds us that the fight against gender-based violence has expanded into new spaces. As technology evolves, so do the risks and vulnerabilities faced by women and girls.
“From cyberbullying to online harassment, from non-consensual image sharing to digital surveillance, violence in digital spaces is real, harmful and deeply silencing.
“Our collaboration today reflects the power of partnership. Together, we stand as a collective force raising awareness, empowering survivors, educating communities and promoting safer digital and physical environments for women and girls”.
On her part, a lawmaker representing Moba I constituency at the Ekiti State House of Assembly and former President of the Club, Abimbola Solanke urged the general public to shift the narrative of keeping women silent, stressing that perpetrators must be held accountable rather than questioning women’s action.
Also, the Executive Director of the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD), Abimbola Aladejare-Salako urged the state and federal governments to take decisive actions in making sure that all social vices targeted at women are eliminated.
