In observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2025, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for unified efforts to address the growing threat of digital violence targeting women and girls. Marked annually on November 25, this year’s theme is “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.”

In her official message, Senator Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria stands with the global community to highlight the urgent need to combat online abuse, harassment, extortion, and exploitation. She stated that digital spaces should be environments that foster genuine human connection, facilitate learning, and promote productivity, not fear. “Yet, too many women and girls face bullying, blackmail, stalking, and gender-based hate online. This is unacceptable,” she said. The First Lady further noted, “Violence in any form, offline or online, undermines the dignity, safety, and the potential of women and girls.”

Expressing solidarity with survivors and advocates, Senator Tinubu declared, “I stand in solidarity with all survivors and with those working tirelessly to end gender-based violence.” She issued a strong call to action, urging government institutions, particularly the legislature and the judiciary, along with technology companies, civil society, and every Nigerian citizen, to take bold steps. “I call on government institutions especially the legislature and the judiciary, technology companies, civil society, and every Nigerian to take bold action to make digital spaces safe, inclusive, and respectful for all,” she said.

The First Lady’s message underscores a collective responsibility to ensure that digital platforms become safer for women and girls, aligning with the international commitment to eliminate all forms of violence against them.

Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, concluded her message with wishes for a “Happy International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2025.”

Hajiya Safarau Yahaya, chairperson of the Adamawa State Divorcees Association, has spoken out about the harsh realities confronting divorced women, widows, and victims of forced marriages in the state.

“Men are taking our vulnerabilities for granted,” Hajiya Safarau lamented. “Because of our difficult economic conditions, many think we are immoral. They see us as objects of pleasure, but I always insist that not all of us fit that description.”

The association, locally known as the Zawrawa Association, serves as a beacon of support for women struggling with the stigma of broken marriages. Hajiya Safarau, who once felt humiliated by the label “divorcee,” now embraces it as a symbol of strength.

“I used to get angry when called a divorcee,” she confessed. “But now, I accept it. It’s my destiny, and I’ve made peace with it.”

The association includes widows, divorcees, and women abandoned by their husbands. Sharing distressing examples, Hajiya Safarau recounted cases of members deserted for years, left to raise children alone.

“I personally know three women whose husbands have been gone for over seven years,” she said, highlighting the depth of the problem.

The Zawrawa Association offers these women a sense of community, a place to share their experiences and pool resources to help one another.

“Sometimes we contribute money to support members who have nothing,” Hajiya Safarau explained. “We do our best to lift each other.”

Despite challenges, the association remains focused on empowerment, with plans to establish small-scale businesses to help members achieve financial stability and reduce their exposure to exploitation.

“We are not bitter women,” Hajiya Safarau emphasized. “We are survivors determined to start anew.”

Through the courage of Hajiya Safarau Yahaya and the Zawrawa Association, Adamawa’s divorcees are reclaiming their dignity and proving that, even in the face of hardship, resilience and unity can rewrite their story.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced a new collaboration with Nigerian women to implement key conventions aimed at promoting female empowerment. The plan was disclosed by a member of the UNESCO Creative City Network, Mr. Francis Sokumba, during a meeting with the non-governmental organization New Dawn for Women and Community Intervention Initiative.

Mr. Sokumba, who also serves as a consultant in Arts and Crafts, explained that the objectives of the women’s group align with UNESCO’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He assured that UNESCO would facilitate connections between the group and major global arts and crafts markets to enhance their visibility and participation.

The National Coordinator of the organization, Mrs. Sa’adatu Bakone, stated that Nigerian women are prepared to make meaningful contributions to national development. According to her, “Through our various interventions—ranging from skills empowerment programs, widows’ support initiatives, to community development projects—we aim to touch lives and rekindle hope in places where it has nearly been lost.”

Mrs. Bakone added that the organization would collaborate with government agencies and other partners to achieve its goals of empowering women in rural areas through targeted interventions in education and community-based initiatives designed to promote socio-economic growth and well-being.

The South-West Regional Coordinator of the group, Mrs. Ronke Akani, also emphasized that the organization would partner with other non-governmental bodies that share similar objectives to ensure the success of its initiatives.