BY EVELYN ZORZOR
As the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence draws to a close, the wife of the Delta State Governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has issued a strong call for coordinated global and community-level action to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
Deaconess Oborevwori, who spoke in commemoration of this year’s campaign themed “Unite! End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” described violence, whether physical or online as a grave assault on human dignity.
According to her, violence against women and girls “is not just a violation of rights, it is a crime against humanity,” noting that the rise of digital platforms has introduced new forms of abuse that require urgent and collective response.
She said the campaign should serve as a renewed reminder for all stakeholders to move beyond conversations and commit to concrete actions that protect women and girls from harm.
“As a mother and an advocate for a just society, I call on all stakeholders to move beyond conversations.
Let us take bold, coordinated action, starting from our local communities and echoing across the global stage,” she stated.
The Governor’s wife emphasised the need for collaboration among governments, community leaders, civil society organisations, technology platforms and families to strengthen safeguards against online harassment, cyber-stalking, non-consensual image sharing and other forms of digital abuse increasingly targeted at women and girls.
She added that true progress would only be achieved when communities unite with one voice to challenge harmful norms and demand accountability from perpetrators, both online and offline.
“With one united voice, we can end this menace and build a safer, more dignified world for every woman and girl,” she said.
The 16 Days of Activism, observed annually from November 25 to December 10, is a global campaign designed to raise awareness and galvanise action against gender-based violence.
Recall that earlier on the First Lady, in her capacity as the State Champion for fight against gender based violence, she had received a delegation of activists led by the commissioner for Women Affairs Community and Social Development, Hon Pat Ajudua.
The commissioner had outlined the successes recorded in the fight against the societal vice and called for collective efforts to totally put an end to it.
This year’s focus on digital safety underscores the growing concern over the expanding forms of abuse faced by women in the digital space.
