By Rauf Oyewole
A coalition of media practitioners, Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD), professional bodies and members of People Living with Disabilities stage a stand-still demonstration to seek an end to gender based violence.
The demonstration is part of this year's 16 Days Activism to end gender based violence against persons. The professionals were seen with placards with different inscriptions such as; “Let every girl grow up unafraid”, “Inclusion means safety for every woman and girl”, “Speak out, silence protects abusers” among others.
The Executive Director of J4PD, Elizabeth Kah, the practicing journalists decided to stand still “not in silence, but in strength.”
She added, “We stand for every girl whose voice has been attacked online.
“We stand for every woman whose pictures were misused, whose identity was stolen, whose dignity was violated on the internet.
“Digital spaces must be safe spaces. The right to speak, learn, work, and lead online belongs to women and girls everywhere.
We say enough, enough harassment, enough cyberbullying, enough violence.
Today we unite, and together we will end digital violence against women and girls.”
The group demanded stronger policies from government and tech platforms, while urging the government to promote digital literacy and safety among girls in schools and communities.
Elizabeth urged the authorities to challenge harmful norms that normalise online harassment.
Also, the Chairperson of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Bauchi State, Rashida Yusuf called for sustained media advocacy and enlightenment of the public on how to prevent and report gender based violence. She explained that different cases of violence against persons have been reported affecting women and girls but while several of them were unreported.
She commended J4PD to continue its advocacy on issues that affect the well-being of the public.
Dr. Kaltume Shu’aibu, representative of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) urged the victims to report any abuse and harassment against them to appropriate quarters for immediate action.
In 2024, the Human Rights Commission revealed that the commission had recorded a staggering 56,553 cases of human rights violations from January to December of the year.
According to the State Coordinator of the Commission,Yahcit Dala, the commission has achieved a significant success rate in addressing cases brought before it, with some cases still ongoing due to intensive investigations. She noted that the general public are now aware of the commissions’ activities in the state.
The commission said that fair hearing, as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, ensures that all parties involved are carried along in the investigation process.
Dala noted that the commission has received complaints in various categories, including civil and political rights, economic and social rights, and women and children’s rights.
The most common complaints reported include gender-based violence, domestic violence, and abandonment of parental responsibilities.
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