Rahima Dokaji, Kano.
Hafsat Bahara, a dedicated journalist, experienced a distressing ordeal of Online Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) on Facebook. Initially, she innocently shared a profile piece about a respected religious leader through her organization’s social media channels. To her surprise, followers of the religious leader responded with offensive comments, threats, and discussions about causing harm to Hafsat.
Recalling the traumatic incident, Hafsat Bahara shared, “Threats and intimidation flooded the comments section. Some individuals even tracked me down on other social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, persistently posting menacing threats of rape and violence towards me. It was an intense and deeply unsettling experience.”
The aftermath of this harrowing encounter had a profound impact on Hafsat’s life and mental well-being. Although she chose not to report the offenders to the social media platforms, they took it upon themselves to report her accounts, falsely accusing her and her organization of making offensive comments. The emotional toll extended to Hafsat’s family and loved ones, leaving her feeling violated and unfairly attacked.
A significant survey conducted by the International development and humanitarian organization Plan International revealed distressing revelations about the escalating online violence faced by girls and women. The survey highlighted that Facebook is the primary platform where these attacks are most commonly encountered, with 39% of respondents experiencing harassment, followed by Instagram (23%), WhatsApp (14%), Snapchat (10%), Twitter (9%), and TikTok (6%).
In the Northern Nigeria region, Facebook has emerged as a significant concern due to its association with abuse. The platform is often perceived as a hotspot for various forms of online mistreatment, including cyberbullying and hate speech. Its user-friendly interface has made it accessible to a wide range of individuals, including those with limited formal education or technological training.
NAPTIP advocates equal punishment for gravity of GBV Cases
The label of ‘the jungle’ reflects the perception that Facebook can sometimes resemble a chaotic and lawless virtual space, where users engage in aggressive behavior without considering the consequences. This characterization highlights the prevalence of abusive and harmful interactions, creating a hostile and distressing environment for many users, particularly women. Educated individuals often resort to alternative strategies, such as refraining from posting altogether or using English as a protective shield against local abuse and harassment.
Instagram, known for its platform catering to sophisticated and affluent individuals, has attracted a notable presence of high-profile celebrities. On the contrary, Twitter has gained a reputation as a space where individuals engage in playful banter and witty roasting. TikTok, on the other hand, has become a popular platform for creative skit makers, although it has also attracted users who may exhibit lower moral standards.
While social media platforms have implemented reporting mechanisms, community guidelines, and content moderation teams to address abusive and harmful content, Hafsat Bahara believes that current measures remain insufficient.
“In my opinion, social media platforms have strict policies on physical violence and other discriminatory acts involving children. However, their policy on sexual harassment and threats against women is not robust enough. Derogatory and mean-spirited content targeting women or cyberbullying often goes unflagged by these platforms as inappropriate, allowing perpetrators to go unpunished. On the other hand, if you were to post nudity or violence against animals, you would instantly be flagged,” she said.
However, Mrs. Bunmi Dipo Salami, a Gender Violence activist in Nigeria, emphasizes the crucial need for women to understand how social media protection settings work and how to effectively use them to ensure their safety on these platforms.
“We should all challenge harmful content by reporting material that perpetuates harmful stereotypes, victim-blaming, or supports Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV). Promoting digital literacy and educating internet users about privacy settings, reporting mechanisms, and online safety is essential. Netizens must familiarize themselves with the different forms of OGBV and utilize their social media platforms to share accurate information, helpful resources, and support services,” Mrs. Salami asserts.
Section 24 of the Nigerian Cybercrime Act, enacted in 2015 by the National Assembly, addresses offenses related to OGBV through computer systems or networks, including transmitting communications involving bullying, threats, harassment, extortion, or harm to the reputation or property of any citizen. The act imposes penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, with more severe consequences for communications inducing fear of death, violence, or bodily harm.
Alongside the existing legislation, Mrs. Salami urges the government to collaborate with non-governmental organizations and women’s rights groups to implement and monitor the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 effectively.
“I believe the issue lies not in creating another law when the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 already exists. The focus should be on engaging relevant stakeholders to understand the nuances of SGBV in the online space and identify challenges in enforcing the law. Furthermore, the government and civil society actors should collaborate to provide training for law enforcement personnel in dealing with digital evidence, allocating resources to law enforcement agencies for effective implementation and enforcement of the legislation. Public awareness campaigns should also be conducted to educate the public about the legislation, and specialized units within law enforcement agencies should be created to investigate online crimes, particularly SGBV cases on social media,” she adds.
Mrs. Salami also calls for synergy between traditional and new media outlets to raise awareness and effectively combat OGBV.
“To address OGBV, itis crucial to engage various stakeholders, including media organizations, to create awareness and promote responsible reporting. Traditional media outlets can play a significant role in shaping public opinion, challenging harmful narratives, and providing accurate information about online violence against women. Collaborations between traditional media and social media platforms can amplify the voices of survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, and foster a safer online environment for women,” she suggests.
This publication was supported by the Baobab for Women’s Human Rights funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
