The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), in partnership with FIDA Kenya, has strengthened cross-border collaboration between Nigeria and Kenya through a National and Country Exchange Programme focused on combating Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls (TFVAWG).
The initiative, supported by the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women (UNTF) and UN Women, marks a significant step in consolidating regional efforts to address emerging digital threats targeting women and girls across Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme forms part of a broader inter-generational movement aimed at demanding accountability and countering evolving forms of online gender-based violence.
Held in Lagos, the high-level engagement brought together civil society leaders to share comparative lessons, build advocacy capacity, and institutionalise strategies that respond to the growing prevalence of cyber harassment, digital blackmail, online stalking, and other forms of tech-enabled abuse.
Organisers noted that beyond knowledge exchange, the programme prioritises capacity building, deployment of specialised research and training tools, and empowering participants to cascade sensitisation efforts within their professional and community networks.
Speaking on the importance of harmonised action, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi the founding Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), WARDC leadership emphasised that safeguarding women and girls in digital spaces requires sustained partnerships, stronger regional coordination, and survivor-centred advocacy frameworks.
The Nigeria–Kenya exchange underscores increasing continental momentum toward accountability, policy reform, and practical interventions designed to create a safer digital environment for women and girls.
On the other hand, their was comparative between Nigeria and Kenya on the digital gender- based violence and Nancy Ngung’u the FIDA Kenya Finance Manager FIDA speaks on Kenya is implementing its 2023–2027 strategic plan focused on advancing the rights of women and girls through advocacy and access to justice. A key priority has been addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), which the organisation identified in its 2022 Kenya General Elections report as a growing threat to women’s political participation. The report documented cases of online harassment, image-based abuse, impersonation, and digital manipulation across platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and emerging AI tools. While Kenya has legal frameworks including constitutional protections, the Children Act, Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, and a newly launched National AI Strategy, FIDA Kenya notes persistent gaps in enforcement and the lack of explicit recognition of TFGBV as a distinct, gendered harm.
In partnership with World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), and with support from UN Women and National Democratic Institute, the organisation has rolled out advocacy forums, digital security trainings, multi-stakeholder dialogues, and developed a training manual to strengthen awareness and survivor-centred responses. These engagements have brought together law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, mental health professionals, tech innovators, and civil society actors to improve reporting pathways, digital safety literacy, and accountability mechanisms.
Speaking during the sessions in Nigeria, Janet Anyango, Deputy Executive Director and Head of Programs at FIDA Kenya, underscored the urgent need for robust safety measures and stronger legal frameworks to address technology-facilitated violence. She called for enhanced collaboration among civil society, governments, and development partners, emphasising innovation and sustained, coordinated responses to evolving digital threats. The FIDA Kenya delegation included Ms Anyango, Nancy Ngung’u (Finance Manager), and Leticia Mwavishi (Program Officer). Their participation aimed at sharing Kenya’s experiences and drawing regional insights, reinforcing the need for cross-border cooperation, legal reform, and intergenerational feminist solidarity to protect women and girls in increasingly digital societies.