The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, flagged off the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Monday, November 24, 2025. This year’s global campaign is themed “ UNITE! End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Minister described the global campaign period, November 25 to December 10, as a time of “memory, responsibility, and renewed commitment” to end all forms of violence against women and girls. She informed the public that Nigeria is making measurable progress but must accelerate national action to protect women and girls from offline and online abuses.
She noted that this year’s commemoration coincides with three major milestones: the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the 30th anniversary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs, and the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The Minister also expressed deep concern over the recent surge in kidnappings targeting schoolgirls across the country, saying such attacks undermine Nigeria’s investment in education and stability. She warned that the digital space is increasingly becoming as dangerous as the physical world, where online abuses have led to self-harm and fatalities.
To confront this, she announced that the Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Communication, NITDA, security agencies, UN partners, and the UK-FCDO to develop a National Roadmap on Technology-Facilitated GBV. This roadmap will focus on prevention, reporting, accountability, digital evidence management, and survivor protection. Notably, she called for a reconsideration of Ochanya’s case and other prolonged cases of GBV in the courts.
She also noted that the ministry is working with local stakeholders for a series of activities, including, GBV awareness walks, high-level engagements, the Girls’ Education Summit, podcast conversations, faith-based services, digital safety dialogues, youth expression initiatives, SARC commissioning, webinars, theatre performances, social media campaigns, and the “Run for Her Global Race Against Femicide.”
Acknowledging all stakeholders, the minister urged Nigerians to stay united in creating a free and just world.
“Let us recognise that the journey toward a Nigeria free from violence is one we travel together: guided by justice, anchored in compassion, and illuminated by hope. Let our shared resolve be a beacon, ensuring every girl and woman can navigate both the digital and physical world safely, with dignity, opportunity, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow,” Honourable Imaan said.
