ABUAD Partners UN Women to Champion Efforts Against Digital Violence Targeting Women, Girls

Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), in collaboration with UN Women, has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding women and girls in digital spaces through a high-level advocacy programme themed “Ending Digital Violence Against Women and Girls: The Role of the Academia.”

The event held on Friday at the Alpha Belgore Hall brought together government officials, gender advocates, academics, and development partners.

Founder and Chancellor of the University, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, reaffirmed ABUAD’s strong culture of discipline and gender inclusion, noting that the institution has maintained a zero-tolerance stance against all forms of violence.  

“There is no digital violence in ABUAD. We have rules, policies, and laws that protect everyone, especially women. Out of every ten first-class graduates here, nine are women,” he stated.

Aare Babalola also raised concerns over rising insecurity across the country and urged the Federal Government to take urgent action to safeguard citizens.  

“The duty of government is the welfare and safety of its citizens. This insecurity is not just violence against women but violence against all of us,” he said.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, described digital violence as one of the fastest-growing threats to women’s participation in educational and public life.

While women and girls suffer the greatest impact globally, it is also important to acknowledge that men and boys can be victims too. Digital violence, in any form and against anyone, must be confronted and eradicated, Prof. Olarinde added.

She emphasized the responsibility of universities to lead research, policy innovation, and ethical technology education that promote safe digital citizenship.

Delivering the keynote address, award-winning playwright, performing artiste, theatre creator, and scholar, Dr. Oluwatosin Tume, emphasised that digital violence against women and girls has far-reaching and devastating effects. She explained that such violence can lead to emotional trauma, psychological distress, social isolation, declining mental health, physical harm, and in extreme cases, loss of life.

She further identified key pathways for addressing the problem within academic environments, including “education and awareness, policy development, provision of support and resources, advocacy and activism, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustained communication engagement”.

Goodwill messages were delivered by senior state officials, including a Member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly- Barr. Iyabo Fakunle-Okieimen, who urged women and girls to speak out against abuse; Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi, Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs, who outlined the State’s 16 Days of Activism initiatives; and the Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Dayo Apata (SAN), who was ably represented at the event, highlighted ongoing legal interventions against gender-based violence in the State.

Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Adaora Osondu-Oti, applauded the partnership with UN Women and stressed the need for a safer society for all, beyond the girl child.

The programme concluded with a renewed call for strengthened policies, community engagement, and institutional collaboration toward eradicating digital violence and promoting a safer, more inclusive digital environment.