National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF), has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting women in the legal profession from digital violence through increased awareness of legal remedies, stronger institutional collaboration and enhanced digital safety measures.
The NHRC stated this at an event themed “Digital Violence and the Right to Privacy in the Online Space” held in Abuja.
It brought together legal practitioners, judicial officers, human rights advocates and digital rights experts to address the growing threat of cyberbullying, online harassment, image abuse and other forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
The executive secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN), represented by the commission’s director of Legal Services, Rabi Anwar, said rapid technological advancement had transformed legal practice and communication but had also exposed women to new forms of rights violations in digital spaces.
Ojukwu noted that female lawyers, judges, academics, law students and women in public service increasingly face cyberbullying, cyberstalking, identity theft, doxxing, non-consensual sharing of intimate images and discriminatory online publications.
Stakeholders at the event discussed strategies to address online harassment, safeguard privacy rights, and create a safer digital environment for women lawyers.
According to her, such acts are not merely inconveniences associated with modern technology but constitute violations of fundamental rights, including the rights to dignity, privacy, equality and freedom from discrimination.
“These abuses intimidate and silence women, discouraging them from participating fully in the legal profession and public life,” she said.
Anwar stressed that the NHRC’s mandate to protect and promote human rights extends to both physical and digital spaces, adding that the partnership with the NBA Women Forum underscores the importance of collective action in addressing emerging human rights challenges.
She highlighted existing legal frameworks available to combat digital violence, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and constitutional provisions guaranteeing fundamental human rights.
According to her, the challenge lies not in the absence of laws but in limited public awareness of available legal remedies, reporting mechanisms and institutional support for victims.
She explained that the seminar was designed to bridge that gap by providing participants with practical knowledge on statutory and judicial remedies, evidence gathering for digital offences, non-litigation options such as content takedowns and de-indexing, engagement with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, cybersecurity practices and strategic advocacy for digital rights.
Anwar urged participants to actively engage in discussions and acquire practical skills that would enable them to advise clients effectively, protect themselves and contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s response to digital violence.
