The shocking murder of Hafsoh Lawal, a young woman lured through social media and killed in Ilorin earlier this year, has sparked a strong community response as youth leaders and stakeholders rally to combat the growing menace of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
At the heart of this response is a high-level dialogue tagged “From Silence to Action”, organised by the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) with support from Urgent Action Fund-Africa.
Speaking at the event, BBYDI Executive Director, Barr. Nurah Jimoh-Sanni — represented by Ruth Adeosun, Finance and Policy Office BBYDI — said the gathering was more than just a meeting. “This is a necessary response to a painful reality that shook Ilorin and deeply touched every one of us,” she said.
She recalled that in March, Hafsoh’s life was cut short by an individual who connected with her via social media — a tragic story that, while heartbreaking, is becoming increasingly common.
“What makes today different is that we are choosing to act, stressing the need for immediate and unified action.
The dialogue brought together religious leaders, government officials, civil society organisations, security agencies, and community members. Together, they drafted a Charter of Commitments, outlining practical steps each sector will take to ensure the safety of women and girls online.
“It is clear that no single sector can tackle this challenge alone. From the mosque to the church, from the police station to the family living room — we all have a role to play,” She added.
To ensure long-term impact, participants inaugurated a Joint TFGBV Response Committee tasked with coordinating efforts, ensuring accountability, and following up on agreed actions.
A major theme of the event was the need to transform digital platforms from tools of exploitation into avenues for empowerment.
“The same technology that is used to harm can be harnessed to protect, educate, and uplift — if we make the right choices,” She noted.
She emphasised that real progress would not be measured by speeches or documents, but by the tangible safety and support available to women and girls navigating the digital world.
“Our success will be measured by the safety of the next girl logging onto her phone. It will be measured by how we respond to the next survivor — if we believe her, protect her, and take action,” she said.
The event concluded with a unified call for courage, commitment, and collaborative action.
“We owe Hafsoh — and every woman and girl in this city — more than grief. We owe them urgent, united action.”
The BBYDI hopes this initiative will serve as a model for other Nigerian cities facing the rising but often silent threat of online gender-based violence.
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