Tackling Technology-Facilitated Gender Based Violence and Violence Against Women and Girls in Nigeria

Dr. Asmau Benzies Leo

March 3, 2026

As Nigeria’s digital landscape expands rapidly, a disturbing shadow has grown alongside it, technology-facilitated violence against women (TFV). From cyberstalking and non-consensual sharing of intimate images to online harassment and digital blackmail, Nigerian women are increasingly finding that the internet, far from being a safe space, has become a new arena for gender-based abuse.

Technology-facilitated violence encompasses any form of abuse enabled or amplified by digital tools; social media platforms, mobile phones, messaging apps, and the internet. In Nigeria, the problem is particularly acute. A 2023 report by the Paradigm Initiative revealed that a significant percentage of Nigerian women had experienced some form of online harassment, with young women, activists, female journalists and content creators, facing disproportionate targeting.

The drivers of TFGBV in Nigeria are deeply embedded in existing social structures. Patriarchal norms that normalise control over women’s bodies and lives have simply migrated online. Low levels of digital literacy among women make them more vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation, while widespread anonymity on digital platforms emboldens perpetrators. Economic dependency and poor awareness of digital rights further expose women to abuse by intimate partners and strangers alike.

The consequences for survivors are far-reaching. Victims suffer severe psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Many withdraw from online spaces entirely, losing both economic and social opportunities in an increasingly digital economy. In extreme cases, TFGBV has driven victims to suicide. Reputational damage from non-consensual image sharing has destroyed careers, relationships, and family ties, sometimes permanently.

Despite the scale of the problem, effective response remains elusive. Nigeria’s legal framework, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Cybercrimes Act, contains relevant provisions, but enforcement is inconsistent. Many victims face victim-blaming attitudes when they report cases to law enforcement. Social stigma silences survivors, and the technical complexity of investigating digital crimes stretches the capacity of Nigerian police and prosecutors.

The Way Forward

Addressing TFGBV demands a multi-pronged approach. The government must strengthen enforcement of existing laws and invest in training law enforcement on digital crimes. Tech companies operating in Nigeria should be held accountable for swift content removal and user protection. Civil society organisations must scale up digital literacy programmes targeting women and girls. 

Above all, Nigeria must confront the cultural norms that make gender-based violence online or offline seem acceptable.

The digital revolution must be made safe for everyone. Nigerian women deserve to participate fully in the online world, free from fear and intimidation.

Dr. Asmau Benzies Leo is a development practitioner with extensive national and international expertise in gender equality, peace-building, governance, and humanitarian action. She holds a PhD in Public Governance and Leadership, a Master’s degree in Conflict Management and Peace Studies, and executive certifications from leading institutions including Howard University, Harvard University and Glasgow Caledonian University. As Executive Director of the Centre for Non-violence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN), she has led ground-breaking advocacy initiatives on women’s political participation, gender-based violence prevention, and security sector reform across multiple World Bank, UN and EU-supported projects.