During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, communities across Nigeria came together to say enough is enough to violence against women and girls, especially the growing threat of digital violence and the ways online spaces facilitate abuse.
Led by the Center for Caring Empowerment and Peace Initiative (CCEPI) in collaboration with Strategic Action for Community Development Nigeria (SACDN), the campaign reached over 50 million people through TV, radio, and grassroots action across all 36 states of Nigeria. The message was heard so strongly that local governments from Plateau and Adamawa States reached out to partner with CCEPI and join the Community Road Walk they organized.
A clip from Nigeria’s National Television Authority (NTA News) coverage is available below:
Community-Led Approaches with the Ability to End Digital Violence
All the public engagement activities were designed, planned, and implemented using a community-centered approach. This means there was:
- Active participation and leadership by community members
- Inclusion of women, youth, religious leaders, and traditional institutions
- Dialogue in local languages grounded in community realities
- Practical, culturally relevant solutions
- Shared ownership of outcomes
Conversations that Changed Minds
The initiatives that CCEPI and SACD-N organized include:
- Community Road Walk: The campaign officially began with a community-led road walk from Old Airport Roundabout to Secretariat Roundabout.
Local volunteers mobilized participants, while youth and women carried advocacy messages through placards and chants in local languages. The road walk created a safe public space for communities to collectively, publically and loudly condemn technology-facilitated GBV while demonstrating solidarity with survivors and affirming shared responsibility for protecting women and girls.
Members of the Adamawa and Plateau State Governments joined the walk, and Nigeria’s National Television Authority was there to interview CCEPI staff.
- A community sensitization and awareness session was held at the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), Heipang.
Women’s groups, religious leaders, and community influencers gathered to talk, listen, and learn together. Through interactive discussions, real-life stories, and practical digital safety demonstrations delivered in local languages, participants began to understand how harmful technology-facilitated violence can be.
Despite challenges like limited digital literacy and deep-rooted cultural norms, the session reinforced collective responsibility between community members and religious leaders.
- Engaging Tradition: SACDN, CCEPI, and other humanitarian organizations organized an advocacy visit to the Gwon Rwei of Gyel (Traditional Council of Gyel), Jos South LGA.
Their conversations focused on:
- The harmful impact of technology-facilitated GBV and the dangers of digital abuse
- Protecting survivors and discouraging out-of-court settlements
- Promoting timely referral to health, legal, and psychosocial services
- Strengthening community-based reporting and referral systems
The council of Gyel reaffirmed its commitment to ending GBV in the community.
National Reach
SACDN members were interviewed by the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA News).
NTA News’ coverage shed light on CCEPI and SACDN’s activities, interviewed SACDN Deputy Director Caleb Gochin, CCEPI Program Officer Bamaiyi Tangkat, and several participants in their activities, and amplified the message that violence against women must not be tolerated in any community.
CCEPI staff featured on NTA News’ Light House Chat program on ending digital violence. Bamaiyi Tangkat highlighted the role is CCEPI playing to curb digital violence, including the organization’s advocacy, sensitization activities, psychosocial support on hotlines available and one stop centers, as well as trauma healing available for survivors.
Because communities led, real change followed
- Awareness of GBV and digital violence increased
- Understanding of women’s and girls’ rights grew among community members
- More people committed to reporting violence and supporting survivors
- Stronger collaboration between CCEPI, SACD-N and community leaders
“The road walk and community engagements sent a strong message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated in our community. We now understand our responsibility to protect women and girls and report GBV cases.”
— A Community Leader
The 16 Days of Activism campaign implemented by CCEPI in collaboration with SACDN demonstrates that when communities are centered, their voices, their leadership, and their structures create change. Sustained advocacy, strong partnerships with local actors, and creative approaches to community ownership are essential for long-term impact and for safeguarding the rights, dignity, and safety of women and girls across Nigeria.
“The 16 Days of Activism opened my eyes to how harmful digital violence can be, especially among young people. I now understand the importance of respecting women and girls both offline and online, and I will share this knowledge with my friends.”
— Youth Participant
Featured Photo: Members of SACDN and CCEPI ready for the community road walk, November 2025.