The Fight Against Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: Empowering Women in the Digital Age

To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an NGO Journalists for Christ (JFC) organised a public presentation on ‘Misogyny and Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria’ to raise awareness about misogyny and tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).

Sponsored by the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), the event was held on December 5, 2024, at the Sir Kensington Adebutu Media Resource Center, Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

Themed “Trends and Contexts of Misogyny and Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria,” the event featured various keynote speakers and special guests who presented insights on these pressing issues. Mr. Femi Adesina, former spokesperson for the Buhari administration, opened the event with remarks emphasizing the importance of combating misogyny. He noted, “Misogyny is a harmful behavior that should not be tolerated in society. It is essential to document and publish findings from this program to highlight the issue and discourage those who engage in such acts.”

Following this, Blessing Oladunjoye, founder of BO News, provided an overview of misogyny, defining it as the hatred, dislike, or prejudice against women, often manifested through discriminatory actions. She explained TFGBV as gender-based violence facilitated online, including cyberbullying, doxing, online sexual harassment, trolling, and revenge porn.

Data from a social media monitoring project using WACC’s global media monitoring template was presented, highlighting the prevalence of misogyny and TFGBV on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok. Out of 500 posts monitored, only 66 were relevant to misogyny and TFGBV. The findings revealed that perpetrators were mostly male (28.8%), though women (25.8%) and bloggers/skit makers (22.7%) also contributed. Posts varied in reach, with over half having more than 100,000 followers. Common forms of TFGBV included cyberstalking (45.5%), doxing (10.6%), and general harassment (33.3%). Misogyny predominantly targeted celebrities (45.5%) and unknown individuals (43.9%), with the majority of perpetrators being men (60.6%).

Specific cases of online abuse were discussed, including misogynistic attacks on prominent women like Adaora Umeoji, the first female CEO of Zenith Bank, who faced baseless allegations of misconduct after her appointment. Other female celebrities such as Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham were also targeted by online trolls.

Ugonma Cokey shared insights from focus group discussions, emphasizing that violence against women exists both offline and online. Online abuse includes defamation through apps, cyber harassment, and sexist narratives that undermine women’s aspirations for leadership or career advancement. Women with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to online sexual abuse. Societal factors such as patriarchal norms, dysfunctional family structures, and misinterpreted religious beliefs perpetuate misogyny and TFGBV.

Funmi Falobi concluded the presentations by discussing the impact of misogyny on women and potential solutions. She highlighted that misogyny forces women to conform to societal expectations, curtails their ambitions, and causes psychological harm, leading to depression and stigmatization. Falobi stressed the importance of raising awareness, educating people, and supporting victims. She urged society to involve men as allies, sensitize boys about respect for women, and challenge harmful traditions and religious misinterpretations. Community organizations and religious leaders should also play active roles in reshaping societal attitudes.

To combat misogyny and TFGBV effectively, Falobi proposed several actions: advocating for laws against online violence, promoting inclusive language, challenging sexist behavior, and educating children on gender equality. Multi-layered advocacy campaigns should involve collaboration with institutions, storytelling, and responsible social media practices. Media organizations should amplify these efforts by reporting on gender-based violence and sharing counter-narratives. Building networks and fostering solidarity among stakeholders is vital to creating a society that respects and uplifts women. These comprehensive efforts aim to dismantle misogyny and create safe spaces for women both online and offline.