As the world accelerates into a fully digital era, the landscape of gender-based violence (GBV) continues to evolve in deeply concerning ways. This year, during the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Ablefort Initiative issues a powerful call to action: Nigeria must urgently address the rising threat of digital violence against women and girls, and prevention must begin with our adolescents, especially our boys.
Digital violence does not emerge on screens; it is rooted in early mindsets, value systems, and the socialization of young people. Without intentional guidance on digital ethics, consent, empathy, and respectful online engagement, technology becomes a weapon easily used to shame, threaten, exploit, and endanger women and girls. As education, work, relationships, and self-expression increasingly move online, the risks of digital harm grow, and so does the responsibility to prepare young people to navigate these spaces safely and responsibly.
The Ablefort Initiative’s work with adolescents reveals a critical truth: boys are not inherently violent online, they are often simply unguided. When boys are engaged with purpose, equipped with digital skills, and challenged intellectually and creatively, they show a strong desire to innovate, build, and contribute positively to society.
This belief is the foundation of the Tech for Boys Project, one of Ablefort Initiative’s most impactful programs of the year. Through the project, boys are trained in:
- Coding and digital creativity
- Problem-solving and ethical innovation
- Designing technology for social good
- Understanding online responsibility and respect
- Embracing digital citizenship rooted in empathy and fairness
The program intentionally redirects young boys away from harmful online behaviors, such as cyberbullying, image-based abuse, impersonation, and digital harassment, and instead empowers them to harness technology as a force for community upliftment.
When boys truly understand the transformative and creative power of technology, they are far less likely to use it as a tool of harm. Teaching both boys and girls about digital safety, respect, and responsible online conduct is not a basic educational exercise; it is a foundational investment in building a violence-free digital future.
Ablefort Initiative envisions a future where:
- Girls can learn, create, and lead online without fear.
- Boys and girls become champions of digital safety rather than perpetrators of digital harm.
- Every adolescent grows into an adult who understands consent, fairness, empathy, and ethical digital engagement.
As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism, the Ablefort Initiative urges parents, schools, community leaders, and policymakers to prioritize:
- Digital literacy in school curricula
- Online ethics and responsible technology use
- Adolescent-focused prevention and mentorship programs
- Safe digital ecosystems that protect young users
- Community-wide education on digital GBV
If the future is digital, and all indicators show that it is, our responsibility becomes unmistakably clear.
We must raise a generation capable of using technology to build, not break; to protect, not harm.
