End the (digital) violence committed against women in Nigeria!

A world turned orange

Each year during the sixteen days in between the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November and Human Rights Day on 10 December, people around the world dress in orange and take action to end violence against women and girls in public spaces, at home, in peace and during conflict. From the KL tower in Malaysia to the University of Vienna, and with over 500 actions this year in the Netherlands, the Orange the World campaign, launched by the United Nations in 2008, highlights that the safety of women is of global concern.

Gender-based violence is one of the most widespread human rights violations globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost one in three women is subjected to a form of physical or sexual violence at least once in her life. Due to political unwillingness and the ineffective implementation of policy, this figure has remained largely unchanged over the last two decades. This is even more concerning considering the long-lasting consequences that experiences of sexual violence often have, with victims being more likely to suffer from unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and depression. While violence against women occurs everywhere, women in conflict-ridden, lower-income and climate-vulnerable countries are disproportionately affected . 

Orange Walk Niger 2025

In Nigeria too, many women are subjected to such violence. A 2023 study found that nearly 40% of Nigerian women aged 17-24 has experienced some form of sexual violence. Alarmingly, only 13.1% of these victims sought care from healthcare providers and a mere 3.3% of the cases was reported to law enforcement institutions. What is more, over half the Nigerian women who use the internet experience abuse online. Many survivors choose to remain silent and withdraw from public or online spaces, resulting in social isolation, economic loss, and psychological distress.

To raise awareness for these women, the Salma Attah Foundation for Women and Girls Support (SAFWGS) organised an Orange Walk in the streets of Minna. The advocacy walk drew over 500 protestors from a cross-section of society and sparked conversations about (digital) sexual violence among local residents and beyond, through media coverage and online dissemination.

The project combined advocacy with the provision of practical support and services. On the same day, SAFWGS launched its own digital reporting and support platform for survivors of digital violence and shared information on referral pathways during a live demonstration. Moreover, a free community medical outreach was organized at the final stop of the walk, offering basic health screenings and consultations. The demonstration, thus, moved beyond symbolism into tangible community benefit.

Het Actiefonds is proud to have supported this action, and will continue to stand in solidarity with all groups organizing to protect the safety of women around the world, online and offline!