In a significant step towards combating the rising threat of digital violence, stakeholders in Edo State on Monday validated a comprehensive draft policy framework designed to address Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).
The validation exercise, organised by the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, brought together a wide array of participants.
These included representatives from various government agencies, the judiciary, security organisations, civil society groups, development partners, and media professionals.
Dr. Eugenia Abdallah, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, described the draft policy as a clear demonstration of the state government’s resolve to bolster protection systems for women, girls, children, and other at-risk populations.
She highlighted how the framework builds upon existing efforts such as improved referral pathways, Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), widespread public awareness campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives across the state.
The Commissioner noted that the policy aligns with ongoing programmes featuring media engagements, school outreach, and community-focused digital literacy drives. These aim to curb harmful online practices including cyberbullying, online harassment, cyberstalking, identity theft, impersonation, phishing, hacking, sextortion, and the non-consensual distribution of intimate images. She expressed particular concern over the growing impact of these offences on young people, especially students and other vulnerable individuals, stressing the urgent need for robust preventive strategies and coordinated institutional action.
Musa Ikhilor, the Secretary to the State Government, pointed out that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies has made digital harms even more sophisticated. He warned that cybercriminal activities — ranging from online fraud to hacking and cyberstalking — are increasingly being weaponised against women and girls.
Ikhilor called for seamless alignment of the new policy with existing laws, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law and the Cybercrimes Act, to guarantee smooth and effective implementation.
Nimata Ikhilor, representing the Office of the Edo Governor’s Wife, described the policy as timely and essential. While acknowledging the empowering potential of digital platforms, she emphasised their dual use as tools for harassment, blackmail, sextortion, and other cyber-enabled crimes, particularly through social media and messaging apps.
A legal expert, Mrs. Esohe Bazuaye, underscored the dual nature of technology as both an enabler of progress and a vehicle for abuse. She praised the collaborative development of the policy and reaffirmed the judiciary’s readiness to support enhanced inter-agency cooperation, capacity building, and improved access to justice for victims of digital offences.
Presenting the draft framework, Imonitie Omokhodion, Coordinator of the Edo RoLAC Programme, explained that it offers a structured, survivor-centred, and multi-sectoral strategy to tackle TFGBV.
The document clearly identifies various forms of digital abuse while defining the roles and responsibilities of different institutions. It also establishes minimum operational standards and streamlined referral pathways.
Key highlights of the framework include strengthened safeguarding measures in schools through dedicated reporting structures, focal persons, and secure online complaint channels. It further promotes seamless multi-agency coordination for rapid case escalation across government ministries, law enforcement, social welfare, and justice institutions.
Additional provisions cover standardised procedures for managing digital evidence — such as chat logs, screenshots, IP addresses, and platform data — as well as protocols for swift removal of harmful online content in collaboration with telecom operators and social media platforms.
The policy also prioritises survivor support through psychosocial services, legal aid, and referrals to Sexual Assault Referral Centres to minimise re-victimisation.
During the session, participants conducted a thorough clause-by-clause review of the draft, offering valuable technical recommendations to enhance prevention efforts, coordination mechanisms, reporting systems, evidence handling, and victim protection.
At the conclusion of the meeting, stakeholders formally validated the draft document, agreeing that all approved inputs would be integrated into the final version before its submission to the state government for official adoption.
Once implemented, the policy is expected to serve as a robust institutional blueprint for preventing, reporting, and responding to technology-driven gender-based violence across Edo State, ultimately fostering a safer digital environment for all residents.