Cross River Government declares zero tolerance for digital violence
By Ani Bassey
The Cross River State Government says it will no longer treat cases of digital violence with levity, pledging stronger legal and policy measures to protect women, girls and vulnerable groups from technology-facilitated abuse.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Edema Irom, made the declaration in Calabar during a symposium marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The event was organised by the ministry in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Irom said the administration is already reviewing and proposing laws aimed at curbing digital violence, gender-based violence and other forms of abuse targeting vulnerable residents.
“The issue of digital violence will no longer be trivialised. This administration is looking at enabling laws that will help us tackle digital violence, gender-based violence and protect the vulnerable,” she said.
Delivering an address on behalf of the Head of UNFPA Cross River Sub-Office, Dr. Andrew Kirima, Gender Specialist Jacque Karungi noted that UNFPA has, since 2021, taken the global lead in advocating action against technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
She urged parents and teachers to engage adolescents in honest, non-judgmental conversations about their online experiences, stressing that “realizing rights and choices for all depends on the safe use of technology.”
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Juliana Diwa, Special Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, warned that mocking or mimicking persons with disabilities online constitutes digital violence.
She added that disability inclusion is not an act of charity but “social justice, democracy and an economic strategy,” insisting that societies that exclude persons with disabilities undermine their own progress.
This year’s 16 Days of Activism focuses on “Uniting to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls”, with a sub-theme on “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.”
