The Edo State Government has introduced a new policy framework designed to strengthen efforts against gender-based violence facilitated through digital technology. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairperson of the state GBV Management Committee, unveiled the framework during an event held in Benin City.

FILE: Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo

The Edo State Government has unveiled the Edo State Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Policy Framework, 2026, as part of efforts to combat cyberstalking, cyberbullying and other forms of online, offline, tech-aided violence.

The unveiling was done by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady and Chairperson, Edo State GBV Management Committee, Edesili Okpebholo Anani, at an event organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Edo State in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption RoLAC Programme at the Government House, Benin.

Anani announced the unveiling during the 17th Quarterly Meeting of the Edo State GBV Management Committee shortly before the exercise.

“Distinguished members, I am particularly delighted to announce that today marks the official launch and unveiling of the Edo State Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Policy, 2026,” she announced.

The Coordinator said the policy became necessary because technology, while improving communication, had also become a tool for abuse.

“Technology has transformed how we communicate and interact, but it has also created new avenues through which women and girls can experience harassment, threats, stalking, image-based abuse, cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation and other forms of technology-facilitated violence,” she stated.

She explained that the new framework “provides an important framework for strengthening prevention, protection, reporting, referral, response and accountability in relation to technology-facilitated GBV.”

UNICEF Youth Advocate, Isabel Anani, however, called for urgent attention to cyberstalking and cyberbullying in schools, saying the issue is often ignored.

“About cyberstalking. It’s a part of gender-based violence that isn’t talked about enough, especially in schools,” she said.

“But cyberstalking is something that I can tell you firsthand is very underrated because it’s easy to do, and most of the time, the repercussions simply are not there.”

She explained that while discussions around GBV often focus on physical and sexual assault, cyberbullying targets younger people directly.

“With cyberbullying, stalking, whatever it is, it’s student to student. And because these students are in the same age range, it’s harder to administer punishments for them.”`

Isabel stressed the need for schools to create safe spaces and hold regular sensitization.

“Creating safe spaces for girls to really talk about their experiences, what they face, creating symposiums. Safe spaces are exceptionally important. I cannot downplay the importance of creating safe spaces for women and girls in institutions especially.”

`“These are adolescent girls and young women that come to your institution as children. They are still children when they come… So creating these safe spaces for women who haven’t, whose frontal lobes are not fully developed is exceptionally important.”

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, described the policy as a timely response to emerging digital threats.

“Through effective implementation, we expect that increased public awareness and safety, improved reporting of the TF-GBV cases, stronger and more coordinated survival services, enhanced institutional capacity, better referral and case management,” she disclosed.

To ensure effective implementation, Anani announced the constitution of an Implementation Subcommittee comprising key ministries, the Police, SARC, ICT Agency, civil society and other stakeholders.

“To ensure that the policy moves beyond the document stage into effective implementation, I am pleased to announce the constitution of the Implementation Subcommittee for the Edo State Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Policy,” she said.

The Committee also received a suggestion to upgrade the document from a policy framework to a bill for passage into law by the Edo State House of Assembly.

Closing, Anani reiterated government’s commitment: “Our goal must remain clear: to build an Edo State where all persons can live with dignity, safety and freedom from violence.”