in a renewed effort to mark the global 16 Days of Activism, the Community Dialogue Committee (CDC) Shuni, in partnership with the Gender-Based Violence Response Team and supported by Global Rights, took its campaign against digital gender-based violence to the classroom—arming students across Sokoto with knowledge, confidence and tools to stay safe online.
The one-day sensitisation programme drew students from several secondary schools, including Rochas Foundation College, Army Day Junior Secondary School, Hikima International School, High Profile Academy, Government Day Secondary School Danbuwa, Command Day Secondary School Giginya Barracks and Government Day Secondary School Shuni.
Welcoming the students, Chairperson of the CDC/GBV Response Team, Husaina Yakubu, urged for stronger community involvement in tackling abuse in all its forms.
“We must put all hands on deck to checkmate every form of GBV,” she said, stressing the need for continuous enlightenment and vigilance.
Taking the students through the theme, “ _Understanding GBV and Digital Violence,”_ ICT expert Engr. Yushau Aliyu warned that increasing access to digital platforms has created new avenues for abuse—especially for young people.
Digital violence, he explained, involves “harmful acts using digital platforms targeted at individuals based on their gender,” with girls and women remaining the most vulnerable.
Aliyu broke down the different forms of online abuse: cyberbullying, online harassment, doxxing, non-consensual image sharing—including nude or unedited photos—deepfake manipulation, and other emerging threats.
These acts, he cautioned, can trigger long-term emotional and psychological consequences such as anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, fear and even academic decline.
Speaking on digital rights and responsibilities, he reminded students that everyone “deserves to be safe online,” urging them to respect privacy and confidentiality. He challenged them to become defenders of safer digital spaces by promoting respect, calling out abusive behaviour, educating their peers and fostering understanding.
Gender Officer from the Sokoto State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Zinatu Abulkarim, also addressed the gathering, encouraging students to take an active stand against all forms of digital gender-based violence. She emphasized the importance of awareness, empathy and early prevention.
The campaign served as both a wake-up call and a rallying point, equipping Sokoto’s young digital citizens with the awareness needed to navigate the online world responsibly—and safely.
