The 2025 edition of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign was officially launched in Jos on Tuesday with a symbolic peace walk. The event brought together government officials, civil society organizations, international partners, and community leaders.
Organized by UK International Development, SPRiNG, Women for Positive Peace Building Initiative (WOPPI), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Plateau State Government, participants marched from Old Airport Junction to Secretariat Junction carrying placards and promoting messages of solidarity.
This year’s campaign, themed “End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” draws attention to growing online threats such as harassment, stalking, non-consensual sharing of images, misinformation, and other forms of digital abuse affecting women and girls globally and in Nigeria.
Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Caroline Panglang Dafur, described the 16 Days of Activism as a crucial platform for protecting the rights and safety of women and girls.
“I feel honored to address us today on this special day in Plateau State. This administration is committed to safeguarding the rights of women and girls,” she said, adding that the state will carry out community sensitization, survivor empowerment, and advocacy activities over the next two weeks.
Mujidang Sitdang, Regional Director of SPRiNG North Central, highlighted the campaign’s relevance in Nigeria, citing ongoing security challenges affecting women and girls.
“Digital violence knows no boundaries. This campaign offers an opportunity for government, civil society, and communities to support women in achieving their goals and contributing to peacebuilding,” Sitdang said.
Dung John Hwyere, Program Officer at WOPPI, stressed the urgency of addressing violence amid rising abduction cases targeting girls.
“We call on everyone—men and women—to unite against violence. The federal and state governments must urgently rescue abducted girls and ensure their safety. These 16 days are for all Nigerians to act,” he added.
Plateau State NHRC Director, Kiyenpiya Mafuyai, described the campaign as a reaffirmation of decades of work toward justice and equality, emphasizing the growing concern over digital abuse.
“The campaign links the fight against GBV to the broader human-rights agenda,” Mafuyai said. She outlined planned activities, including stakeholder meetings, youth sensitization programs, community dialogues, and a human-rights rally on December 10, marking International Human Rights Day. She also commended partners such as WOPPI, ROLAC, Mission 21, and other Plateau-based CSOs.
Elder Justina Mike Ngwobia, representing WOPPI, called for increased inclusion of women in decision-making and the elimination of violence in all forms—political, economic, domestic, or digital.
“The world is changing. Women can no longer be left behind or violated. We appreciate our gender-sensitive government, but more must be done,” she said.
The campaign, running from November 25 to December 10, seeks not only to raise awareness but also to advance concrete steps to protect women and girls, strengthen community protection systems, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Advocates including Ambassador Bridget Dakyes, State Coordinator for the Women, Peace and Security Network, and Chairperson of Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Barr. Olivia Dazyem, emphasized that the campaign is a call to sustained action.
The Jos launch sets the stage for two weeks of advocacy, empowerment, and a unified push for a safer, more just society for all.
