Activists in Calabar on Monday launched this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence with a call to end digital harm targeting women and girls.
The rally, supported by Christian Aid, SBS Cross River State and the Rise Up Movement Nigeria, gathered dozens of advocates holding a banner inscribed “End Digital Harm Now! Say No to Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.”
Venerable Oqua Augustine of the African Church, Hallelujah Cathedral, said the campaign officially commenced with activities designed to strengthen public awareness across Calabar South. He described the theme as timely and urgent.
“The 16 Days of Activism has begun, and this year we are uniting against digital violence affecting women and girls,” Augustine said while addressing participants during the awareness walk.
He explained that the program, which runs annually from November 25 to December 10, derives directly from the United Nations and aims to combat all forms of gender injustice, especially online-related abuses.
According to him, activities included visiting the Obong’s palace in Calabar to sensitize traditional institutions and conducting a road walk with 30 youths to educate residents on curbing violence against women and girls.
Augustine noted that the outreach was effective, saying the team “reached out to the people and increased their awareness” on the dangers of digital harm and the need for community vigilance.
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Comrade Victor Inameti, a retired permanent secretary, condemned physical and emotional abuse against women, stressing that violence in any form violates moral and social ethics.
“It is profoundly wrong to physically harm women, especially wives,” he said, insisting that respect must govern relationships. He added that disrespect toward husbands also creates imbalance in families.
Inameti further emphasized that fear of God should guide behavior, arguing that mutual responsibility is essential. He said women are encouraged to show respect while husbands are expected to demonstrate love and restraint.
Truth Live News reports that a female advocate at the rally highlighted the growing dangers of online abuse, describing today’s era as “the digital type,” in which technology enables both connection and exploitation.
She said inscriptions calling for an end to online harm reflect the realities many women face. According to her, “the abuse occurring online can only be tackled through widespread information and active practice of support.”
She warned that families are not exempt from digital or offline violence, citing cases of molestation involving parents and children. She urged couples to “check each other” and maintain open communication to curb abuse.
The advocate insisted that talking alone is not enough. She called for disciplinary action against abusers and encouraged communities to report cases immediately to ensure justice and protection for victims.
She also stressed the need for clearer reporting channels and increased visibility of support services, arguing that consistent messaging and collective effort are vital to ending violence.
The rally concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders, who pledged to intensify awareness campaigns across Cross River State throughout the 16-day global campaign period