Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
EDO, Nigeria – Stakeholders in Edo State have validated a draft policy framework aimed at tackling technology-facilitated gender-based violence, recommending additional technical inputs before the document is adopted by the state government.
The validation meeting, organised by the Edo Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme on Monday, brought together government agencies, the judiciary, security institutions, civil society groups, development partners and media representatives in Benin City.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Eugenia Abdallah, said the proposed framework demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting women, girls, children and other vulnerable groups from digital abuse.
She said the policy complements existing interventions, including strengthened referral pathways, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, public awareness campaigns and capacity-building programmes.
According to Abdallah, the state has intensified efforts to combat cyberbullying, online harassment, cyberstalking, identity theft, impersonation, phishing, hacking, sextortion and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
She noted that many of these offences disproportionately affect young people and vulnerable groups.
The commissioner said ongoing initiatives include safer digital reporting channels, cyber safety education and collaboration with security agencies under the Cybercrimes Act framework.
Secretary to the State Government Musa Ikhilor said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and deepfake tools have increased the complexity of digital abuse.
He warned that cybercriminals increasingly use online fraud, identity theft, impersonation and cyberstalking to target women and girls.
Ikhilor urged stakeholders to align the policy with existing laws, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the Cybercrimes Act.
A representative of the Office of the Edo Governor’s Wife, Nimata Ikhilor, described the policy as timely, noting that digital platforms have become channels for harassment, blackmail and sextortion.
Legal practitioner Mrs. Esohe Bazuaye said technology had become both a tool for empowerment and abuse, requiring stronger legal and institutional responses.
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