Ike Advocates United Action to End Gender-Based, Digital Violence Against Women

By Yemi Akinsuyi

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory, FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has called for decisive collective action to end gender-based violence as the world marks the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

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Ike, who emerged as the first female Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council in its 43-year history in December 2024, drew on her personal experience of gender-based harassment during the recent NUJ FCT election period.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the journalist raised concerns about the rising threat of digital violence against women and girls, urging stakeholders to treat online abuse with the same urgency as physical violence.

This year’s campaign, running from November 25 to December 10, operates under the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE global theme: “End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”.

Ike, who is a newscaster with Advocate Broadcasting Network and the immediate past Chairperson of the House of Representatives Press Corps, shared her own ordeal during the election campaign.

“During the recent NUJ FCT 2024 election period, I personally endured targeted gender-based harassment and intimidation—attempts to silence my voice and undermine my candidacy through threats and derogatory attacks,” Ike revealed in her statement.

She described how this experience underscored the deeply ingrained nature of gender-based violence, which extends beyond physical harm to psychological, social, and digital oppression.

“It reinforced my resolve that no one should endure such abuse, and society must actively dismantle the structures that enable it both offline and online,” she stated.

The campaign emphasizes that violence against women and girls affects one in three women globally and is described as a human rights emergency that must stop. Digital violence disproportionately targets women with public or online visibility, including activists, journalists, women in politics, human rights defenders, and young women.

In her statement, Ike emphasized that violence against women and girls remains a profound violation of human rights and a barrier to sustainable development, affecting victims’ health, dignity, and freedom while fracturing the social fabric of communities.

The NUJ FCT chairman urged everyone to reject and report abuse, challenge cultural norms perpetuating inequality, and be advocates for safe, respectful spaces in homes, workplaces, and online.

Ike highlighted the media’s critical role in combating gender-based violence. “The media plays a critical role in highlighting the realities of gender-based violence, amplifying survivors’ voices, and demanding justice,” she stated.

The NUJ FCT Council has committed to responsible, inclusive reporting that fosters awareness and drives action. The union is calling for stronger legal frameworks, adequate support for survivors, effective policies against digital violence, and widespread education to prevent abuse.

“Let this campaign ignite renewed commitment to shift from words to meaningful change, ensuring our society is free from violence and safe for all,” Ike declared.

The NUJ FCT chairman pledged that the union would champion the cause year-round, recognizing that ending all forms of gender-based violence, including digital violence, requires persistent and united effort.

“We call on everyone—men and women alike—to reject violence, speak out against abuse, and support victims. Together, let us move from awareness to action, building a society where dignity, respect, equality, and safety prevail both offline and online,” she concluded.

Ike was elected unopposed and sworn in alongside other executive members including Yahaya Ndambabo of Voice of Nigeria as Vice Chairman, Jide Oyekunle of Independent Newspaper as Secretary, and Sandra Udeike of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria as Treasurer, amongs others
. The officials are serving a three-year term in the FCT.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that begins on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and runs through December 10 (International Human Rights Day), symbolically linking gender-based violence to the broader struggle for human rights.