GBV Taskforce, NAWOJ, FIDA Lead Strong Campaign Against Digital Violence in Ebonyi Schools
By Ugo Ewa, Abakaliki
The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Taskforce in Ebonyi State has intensified its fight against digital abuse with a comprehensive sensitisation exercise at Nneodo Secondary School, Abakaliki, as part of activities marking the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.
Speaking during the campaign, Barr. Faith-Vin Nwancho, State Coordinator of the GBV Taskforce and Head of the Sexual Assault and GBV Response Unit, Ministry of Justice, said the school outreach became necessary due to rising cases of technology-facilitated violence among young people.
She explained that the sensitisation was supported by Whisper to Humanity, in collaboration with FIDA Ebonyi, NAWOJ, the Ministry of Justice, and other GBV partners.
“This year’s theme focuses on technology-facilitated gender-based violence. We decided to take the message directly to students because many of them are already victims of digital bullying, social media abuse, and other forms of online violence,” she said.
Barr. Nwancho revealed that in the past two years, the Ministry has recorded an increasing number of complaints from boys and girls facing cyberbullying, online blackmail and harassment.
“Digital violence is real. Students are walking into our offices with cases of bullying and online threats. We are worried, and that is why we’re taking this sensitisation seriously,” she added.
She further noted a growing trend of men speaking up when they experience abuse.
“There is a shift. Men are no longer silent. Many now call or walk into the office to report emotional and physical abuse. They want guidance, and this is progress,” she stated.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ebonyi State Chapter, Nkechinyere Oginyi, advised the students to resist the pressures of social media and focus on building their intellectual capacity.
She warned that while the digital space offers many opportunities, it also exposes young people to manipulation and harmful behaviours.
Oginyi urged the students to uphold moral values and prioritise their education and future ambitions.
An SS2 student, Nweke Chukwu, described the sensitisation as eye-opening.
“I learnt that violence is not good. If you see something, say something. Always be careful where you go, and don’t move around at night,” he said.
When asked if he would report a classmate facing abuse, he replied confidently, “Yes, I can help. Even if the person doesn’t want me to, I will still tell the teacher as a whistleblower in order to save a soul.”
Facilitators assured the students that reports made in confidence would be treated discreetly.
