29 May 2026 Project in Nigeria reshapes national discourse on digital violence against women
A WACC-supported project led by Journalists for Christ International Outreach has brought online misogyny and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) into the mainstream as priority public policy issues in Nigeria.
The suppression of women’s voice through acts of violence remains prevalent in Nigeria, and the emerging indicators of violence against women in online environment and digital communication network is a concern, notes JFC President Lekan Otufodunrin.
Online sexism and misogyny help fuel other harmful actions targeting women and girls online, adds Project Advisor Sanmi Falobi.
JFC, with input from other WACC members in Africa, set out to map this digital threat landscape. Three months of social media monitoring using WACC’s social media watch methodology revealed disturbing trends of how misogyny and TFGBV thrive across platforms.
What emerged from focus group discussion was equally concerning – TFGBV was inadvertently being normalised through a widespread lack of awareness.
Many people “admitted ignorance of the concept of misogyny,” reports Otufodunrin. Some confessed they had unknowingly contributed harmful content.
He says the conversations also made clear that social media creators, “both male and female, were spreading misogynistic content under the guise of humor.”
Media quickly amplified JFC’s findings, published in the advocacy document “Trends and Contexts of Misogyny and Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria.” The report has become central as tangible, reusable tool to advance and foster policy reforms.
Increased media interest and commitment is key to continuing to drive change, according to Otufodunrin. “With multiple platforms reporting on the campaign, mainstreaming the conversation is already underway. This shift helps embed the issue as a priority discourse, making it harder to ignore or sideline in future.”
Simultaneously, JFC’s strategic online #EndMisogynyNG campaign reached a broad audience via social media and videos in local languages. The result? A better understanding of misogyny and the harm it causes, and members of the public empowered to challenge misogynistic content both online and offline.
This strong foundation is now in place for lasting, community engagement to stop TFGBV in Nigeria. Over 100 female journalists and at least 20 male civil society actors have indicated interest in becoming advocates to end misogyny and TFGBV. Newly minted anti-misogyny ambassadors are poised to act as bridges across sectors and platforms.
“T
he project was able to bring to the fore of media and public discourse, the existence of misogynistic actions and TFGBV, facilitating intervention for changing the narratives, and as much as possible reduce misogynistic actions,” says Otufodunrin.
JFC plans to use the resources from the project and the #EndMisogynyNG campaign in continued advocacy for gender justice online and safe, inclusive digital spaces.
Top image: Project lead Ugonma Cokey from Journalists for Christ speaks at the launch of the “Trends and Contexts of Misogyny and Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence” report. Middle image: Focal group participants, report from the mapping phase, report launch. All photos: JFC.
WACC works in partnership with Journalists for Christ and other communication rights and sustainable development organizations worldwide through its Communication for All Program (CAP), with support from Bread for the World-Germany.
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