By Elizabeth Achagh
Religious and traditional leaders have been challenged to be in the forefront of the campaign to end digital violence against women and girls in Nigeria.
Co-chairman Side-by-Side Interfaith Movement Archbishop Cephas Okwori threw the challenge at a one day training organized for Pastors, Imams and Traditional Leaders in Makurdi as part of the 16 days activism to end digital violence against women and girls.
Archbishop Okwori maintained that religious and traditional leaders have the moral mandate to influence, bridge gaps and mobilize their members to check the rising cases of digital violence.
Archbishop Okwori said they must organize digital literacy and provide digital engagement for the youth and women.
Dr. Victoria Daaor enjoined religious institutions to set up structures to address violations within them and also show empathy as well as create safe spaces for survivors.
Dr. Beatrice Onoja expressed concern that over eighty percent of women are violated through online, with one in three girls also, violated through digital violence in Nigeria daily and called for collective efforts to end the menace.
Some of the participants including Imam of North Bank Central Mosque, Mallam Dahiru Mohammed, Pastor Jemima Donald and Pastor Kenneth Itodo urged parents to brace up in their responsibilities to give the right instructions and guidance to their children for a better society.
Three teenagers Kelvin Upav, Favour Teryila and Joy Sunday expressed appreciation to the organization for the training saying it has empowered them to make the right choices.
The Side-By-Side Interfaith Movement also sensitized teenagers on safety in the use of technology to avoid falling victim to digital violence, and also cautioned them against engaging in any form of technology enhanced harassment.
Edited by Terna Injua
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