By Abdulkareem Haruna
As part of the global ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,’ a non governmental organisation, CARE International, has on Wednesday, Nov.26, 2025, convened an all-inclusive town hall in Maiduguri urging local stakeholders to confront the rising tide of online harassment.
Operating under the theme “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” the event sought to bridge the gap between traditional community protections and the modern dangers of the internet.
The event, organized under the Lake Chad Inclusive Economic and Social Recovery Project, brought together a diverse coalition of government officials, media practitioners, traditional rulers, and women-led organizations to address threats that range from cyberstalking to the weaponization of deepfakes.
Ruth Dede, a sector lead for CARE, emphasized the urgency of the moment. In her opening remarks, she noted that as women and girls increasingly migrate their education and livelihoods to online spaces, the mechanisms to protect them must evolve.
She called on stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and “co-create practical solutions” that address violence both on and offline.
According to Aisha Umar, a gender coordinator at the event, the challenges are becoming increasingly sophisticated as non-consensual image sharing and cyberbullying are being used to silence women.
She issued a direct appeal to parents and traditional leaders—groups often less familiar with digital nuances—to educate themselves on reporting mechanisms to ensure victims receive timely justice.
Beyond policy discussions, the event utilized cultural engagement to drive the message home. Through school debates, drama performances, and traditional dance, the program aimed to dismantle the stigma surrounding gender-based violence and reinforce collective responsibility across the Borno community.
Meshach Bwala, the RESILAC Project Manager at CARE International, stated that the event serves as a flag-off for the 16 Days of Activism. He explained that the goal is to bring together all RESILAC project stakeholders to hold open discussions and fashion out solutions for the menace of online abuse and violence against women and girls.
“The issue of digital violence, though very big, has been a neglected sector. If you look at the kinds of abuse young women and girls suffer online, you will understand that it has not gotten the attention it deserves,” Bwala said.
“This year, we are calling on all stakeholders to channel their attention towards helping to combat and stem digital violence.”
He added that the RESILAC project has so far reached over 10,000 individuals with awareness regarding digital violence, as well as offline violations and related harmful practices.
“Our target is to reach over 30,000 individuals over the life of the five-year programme, which is currently in its second year,” he noted.
The Humanitarian Times 