NHRC Moves Against Digital Violence On Women Lawyers

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 through increased awareness of legal remedies, stronger institutional collaboration and enhanced digital safety measures.

The NHRC stated this at an event themed “Digital Violence and the Right to Privacy in the Online Space” held in Abuja.

It brought together legal practitioners, judicial officers, human rights advocates and digital rights experts to address the growing threat of cyberbullying, online harassment, image abuse and other forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

The executive secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN), represented by the commission’s director of Legal Services, Rabi Anwar, said rapid technological advancement had transformed legal practice and communication but had also exposed women to new forms of rights violations in digital spaces.

Ojukwu noted that female lawyers, judges, academics, law students and women in public service increasingly face cyberbullying, cyberstalking, identity theft, doxxing, non-consensual sharing of intimate images and discriminatory online publications.

Stakeholders at the event discussed strategies to address online harassment, safeguard privacy rights, and create a safer digital environment for women lawyers.

According to her, such acts are not merely inconveniences associated with modern technology but constitute violations of fundamental rights, including the rights to dignity, privacy, equality and freedom from discrimination.

“These abuses intimidate and silence women, discouraging them from participating fully in the legal profession and public life,” she said.

Anwar stressed that the NHRC’s mandate to protect and promote human rights extends to both physical and digital spaces, adding that the partnership with the NBA Women Forum underscores the importance of collective action in addressing emerging human rights challenges.

She highlighted existing legal frameworks available to combat digital violence, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and constitutional provisions guaranteeing fundamental human rights.

According to her, the challenge lies not in the absence of laws but in limited public awareness of available legal remedies, reporting mechanisms and institutional support for victims.

She explained that the seminar was designed to bridge that gap by providing participants with practical knowledge on statutory and judicial remedies, evidence gathering for digital offences, non-litigation options such as content takedowns and de-indexing, engagement with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, cybersecurity practices and strategic advocacy for digital rights.

Anwar urged participants to actively engage in discussions and acquire practical skills that would enable them to advise clients effectively, protect themselves and contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s response to digital violence.

She also reaffirmed the NHRC’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the NBA Women Forum and to translating the seminar’s outcomes into concrete policy recommendations and institutional actions.

In her remarks, 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 observed that as the legal profession increasingly embraces technology and digital innovation, women lawyers have become more visible online, making them vulnerable to cyberbullying, online intimidation, identity theft, image abuse and other forms of technology-enabled gender-based violence.

Fache-Omoya stressed that no female lawyer should have to choose between professional visibility and personal security.

“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,” she said.

She noted that the collaboration with the NHRC reflects a shared commitment to protecting fundamental rights in the digital age and ensuring that existing legal and regulatory frameworks are effectively deployed to combat online abuse.

Fache-Omoya encouraged participants to maximise the opportunities provided by the seminar, promote responsible digital behaviour, embrace ethical online engagement and strengthen solidarity within the legal profession.

The seminar featured presentations by experts on legal remedies for cyberbullying, online harassment, image abuse, privacy protection, cybersecurity and digital safety. Participants called for sustained advocacy, increased awareness and stronger enforcement of existing laws to make digital spaces safer and more inclusive for women.