The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, Grace Ike, has called for stronger, collective efforts to end all forms of gender-based violence as the world commemorates the 2025 edition of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Ike emphasized the growing dangers posed by digital violence, urging stakeholders to treat online abuse with the same seriousness as physical attacks.
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She noted that the 2025 campaign aligns with the UNiTE global theme, “End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
According to her, the annual campaign, running from November 25 to December 10, highlights the urgent need to confront both physical and digital forms of violence that continue to threaten the safety, dignity, and rights of women and girls. She said the theme calls for united action to build safer communities and secure online spaces for all.
Ike recounted her experience during the NUJ FCT 2024 election period, where she faced targeted gender-based harassment and intimidation aimed at silencing her voice and undermining her candidacy.
She noted that the attacks she suffered, ranging from threats to derogatory remarks, reflect the deeply rooted nature of gender-based oppression, which extends beyond physical harm to psychological, social, and digital abuse.
“This experience strengthened my belief that no one should be subjected to such treatment,” she said, adding that society must dismantle the systems that enable gender-based and digital violence to persist.
Ike stressed that violence against women and girls remains a serious human rights violation and a significant barrier to sustainable development.
Beyond the immediate physical and emotional toll on victims, it undermines community cohesion and social progress.
The NUJ FCT Council urged Nigerians to reject all forms of abuse, challenge harmful cultural norms, and support the creation of safe, respectful spaces in homes, workplaces, and online platforms.
The council also reaffirmed the critical role of the media in exposing the realities of gender-based violence, amplifying survivors’ voices, and holding perpetrators accountable.
“NUJ FCT remains committed to responsible and inclusive reporting that drives awareness and stimulates action,” the statement read.
The council called for stronger legal protections, sufficient support services for survivors, effective policies to address digital violence, and widespread education to prevent abuse. Ike encouraged citizens, institutions, and community leaders to shift from mere awareness to meaningful action.
As the global campaign intensifies, the NUJ FCT pledged to champion the fight against gender-based and digital violence all year long, recognizing that ending these threats requires sustained, unified effort.
“We call on everyone, men and women alike, to reject violence, speak out against abuse, and support victims,” Ike said. “Together, we can build a society where dignity, respect, equality, and safety prevail both offline and online.”