EU–International IDEA Partnership Deepens Nigeria’s Fight Against Digital Gender Violence

Nigeria’s fight against gender-based violence, particularly in the digital space, received a boost as the European Union and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) reaffirmed their joint commitment to building institutional capacity and survivor-centred justice systems.At the 11th Network Conference of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Abuja, both partners underscored […]

Nigeria’s fight against gender-based violence, particularly in the digital space, received a boost as the European Union and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) reaffirmed their joint commitment to building institutional capacity and survivor-centred justice systems.At the 11th Network Conference of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Abuja, both partners underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to address emerging forms of gendered harm driven by technology.

The Regional Director of International IDEA, Dr Roba Sharamo, commended the Nigerian government’s “multi-sectoral efforts” in tackling the problem. “We are grateful for the interventions by federal and state institutions, CSOs, and tech companies to combat technologically driven sexual and gender-based violence,” he said, urging modernised legislation that keeps pace with fast-evolving digital threats.Ambassador Gautier Mignot highlighted that the EU’s new €18 million programme with IDEA will focus on legal reforms, prevention, and survivor support for Technology-Facilitated GBV (TFGBV).

The EU–IDEA partnership builds on earlier successes of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, which has expanded access to justice for survivors and strengthened inter-agency collaboration through the network of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across 24 states.