Side-by-Side for Gender Justice Movement during their 2025 awareness campaign walk at the Calabar Road near the Millennium Park, Calabar on Tuesday.
By Ita Williams, Calabar
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Side By Side for Gender Justice Movement (SBS), has called on Nigerians to unite against the growing trend of digital violence targeting women and girls.
The call was made on Tuesday during a sensitisation walk that began at the African Church Cathedral, Big Qua Town Parish, and ended at the Calabar Road Roundabout in Calabar, Cross River State.
The campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10, 2025, is part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
This year’s event is promoted by Christian Aid, the United Nations and the Side-by-Side Movement, Nigeria, and is being held simultaneously across six states.
Bearing slogans such as “End Digital Harm Now,” “Say No to Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” and “Digital Safe Space: #DemandRespectOnline,” participants marched through the streets to raise awareness about online abuse, blackmail, cyberstalking and digital exploitation.
Speaking during the rally, Venerable Augustine Oqua, Co-chairman of SBS, explained the urgency of the campaign.
“We want the public to understand the rise in digital violence against women and girls,” he said. “People now use their phones to harass, lure, intimidate and blackmail women. Some of these cases have led to physical harm and even death.”
He warned women and girls to be cautious about unsolicited calls and online interactions.
“It is not every phone call you receive that you should respond to. Some are traps. Many girls have been killed after falling victim to digital manipulation,” he said.
Oqua disclosed that 30 participants, both men and women, joined the Calabar rally, fully sponsored by Christian Aid and the United Nations.
“We are representing both the church and the mosque,” he added. “Christians and Muslims must unite to stop violence in all its forms.”
Also speaking, Imam Lawal Kazeem, an Islamic scholar, said the Muslim community fully supports the campaign.
“We are here to partner with the programme as usual,” he said.
“Most attacks these days target the girl child. We want religious leaders to keep supporting awareness initiatives so that communities understand the dangers of violence.”
On child marriage, Imam Kazeem stressed:
“That should not be encouraged. Girls should only marry when they are mature and knowledgeable. According to law, schooling begins at 16 or 17, so marriage must not take place before that.”
Participants also shared their perspectives.
Odo Bassey, one of the marchers, said: “I’m happy to join this war against violence. Online abuse of girls is alarming. We are saying enough is enough.”
Another participant, Ekpowan Ada Ekpo, said the campaign was timely.
“Digital abuse is rampant. Men abuse women, and women abuse men online. We are telling people to stop the violence and stop the shame.”
A retired Permanent Secretary, Mr. Victor Inameti, broadened the discussion, emphasizing that violence affects both genders.
“We talk often about violence against women, but men also face violence,” he said. “Beating a wife is wrong, and disrespecting a husband is equally wrong. Love and respect must guide homes.”
Other participants, including Rita Andrew Bassey and Aminah Ismailia, expressed excitement about the awareness campaign, calling for more community education on physical, verbal and digital abuse.
The 16-day global campaign will continue across communities in Calabar until December 10.
