NHRC moves to tackle digital violence against women lawyers
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting women in the legal profession from digital violence, by promoting awareness of available legal remedies and strengthening institutional collaboration. The commitment was reiterated during a seminar “Digital Violence & Privacy: Legal Remedies for […]
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting women in the legal profession from digital violence, by promoting awareness of available legal remedies and strengthening institutional collaboration.
The commitment was reiterated during a seminar “Digital Violence & Privacy: Legal Remedies for Cyberbullying Image-Base Abuse and Online Harassment Targeting Women In Law,” held in Abuja, on Monday.
The seminar was organized to equip participants with practical knowledge on legal remedies, digital evidence gathering offences, cybersecurity, data protection, content removal and advocacy for digital rights.
At the event, stakeholders discussed strategies for addressing online harassment, protecting privacy and creating a safer digital environment for women lawyers.
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Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC Chief Tony Ojukwu, represented by the director legal service (NHRC), Hajiya Rabi A. Anwar, said rapid technological advancements had transformed legal practice and communication, noting that the developments have also exposed women to new forms of rights violations in digital spaces.
She noted that female lawyers, judges, academics, law students and women in public service are increasingly subjected to cyberbullying, cyberstalking, identity theft, non-consensual sharing of intimate images and discriminatory online content.
According to her, these acts are not merely inconveniences of modern technology but violations of the fundamental rights to dignity, privacy, equality and freedom from discrimination, saying the practices discourage women from participating fully in the legal profession and public life.
The NHRC official stressed that the Commission’s mandate to protect and promote human rights extends to both physical and digital spaces. adding that the partnership aimed at addressing emerging human rights challenges.
She listed the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and constitutional guarantees protecting fundamental rights as key legal framework safeguarding the rights of women.
According to her, the major challenge is not the absence of laws but limited public awareness of available legal remedies, reporting mechanisms and institutional support for victims.
Also speaking, the National Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum, Agnes Fache-Omoya, described digital violence as a serious human rights concern that threatens the dignity, privacy, freedom of expression, mental well-being and professional advancement of women.
She said as the legal profession embraces technology and digital innovation, women lawyers have become increasingly visible online, making them more vulnerable to various forms of online abuse.
Omoya said no female lawyer should have to choose between professional visibility and personal security, adding that the NBA Women Forum remains committed to ensuring that women in the legal profession can practise with confidence, dignity and freedom from harassment both online and offline, saying the collaboration with the NHRC reflects a shared commitment to protecting fundamental rights in the digital age.
She encouraged participants to make best use of the knowledge shared by the resource persons.