By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on government institutions, technology companies, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to take decisive steps to make digital spaces safer, more inclusive, and respectful for all users, especially women and girls.
In her message marking the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, themed “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” the First Lady warned that online abuse has become a growing and often invisible threat, manifesting in harassment, extortion, and exploitation across social media and digital platforms.
She noted that the theme underscores the increasing urgency to protect women and girls from the expanding dangers of digital violence, which continues to harm victims’ mental well-being, dignity, and opportunities for growth.
Senator Tinubu expressed strong solidarity with survivors of all forms of gender-based violence and commended advocates working tirelessly to support victims and prevent abuse. She maintained that violence, whether offline or online, must never be tolerated and should be confronted through decisive institutional action.
The First Lady stressed that digital environments should serve as platforms for genuine connection, learning, empowerment, and productivity, not spaces that breed intimidation or fear.
She urged lawmakers, the judiciary, tech platforms, policy actors, and communities to strengthen protections, enforce accountability, and promote digital literacy to ensure that women and girls can use online platforms freely and safely.
According to her, creating inclusive digital spaces is essential not only for safeguarding rights but also for unlocking the full potential of women and girls in a rapidly evolving digital world.
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