By Martha Agas
The Inclusive Futures Initiative (IFI) has advocated the use of digital technology to strengthen protection for women, children and young people against abuse and exploitation in Nigeria.
IFI’s Executive Director, Ms Lucy Okonkwo, made the call on Friday in Abuja at the unveiling of two knowledge products on the rights of women, children and young people.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the products comprise a report titled ‘Mapping the Women and Children’s Rights Ecosystem in Nigeria’ and an ecosystem intelligence map.
The products provide evidence-based insights to guide targeted interventions addressing challenges affecting the groups.
Presenting the report, Okonkwo said mobile applications and web platforms could improve the monitoring and reporting of rights violations while strengthening advocacy and law enforcement.
She expressed concern that child labour and child marriage remained prevalent despite Nigeria’s commitment to international conventions and the existence of relevant legislation.
Okonkwo cited data indicating that 62.9 million children aged five to 17 were engaged in child labour, while approximately 24 million girls had been married as children.
She also identified digital exploitation as a growing concern, with technology-facilitated gender-based violence exposing women and children to new forms of abuse.
Citing the report, she said 97 per cent of Nigerian children were considered victims of online sexual exploitation.
“The report shows that 58 per cent of online harm targets women, especially those in leadership, while 21 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 have faced physical or sexual violence,” she said.
Okonkwo identified integrated data systems for monitoring rights violations, civic technology for enforcement and anti-trafficking interventions as potential solutions.
She also highlighted community-based data protection and advocacy as important approaches to addressing the challenges.
She called for coordinated action by government institutions, civil society organisations and technology providers to close gaps in protecting women and children.
In her keynote address, the Regional Director of Luminate Africa, Mrs Toyin Akunniyi, called for stronger institutions and coordinated interventions to address challenges affecting women, children and young people.
Akunniyi said lasting progress required more than laws and policies, stressing the need for effective implementation, adequate funding and accessible support services.
She warned that although digital technology provided young people with access to information and support, it could also expose them to abuse and privacy violations.
According to her, the safety of women and children online depends on the actions of technology platforms, policymakers, service providers and communities.
Akunniyi commended IFI’s research and digital initiatives, saying the report and ecosystem intelligence map could help stakeholders identify protection gaps and improve coordination.
“The strength of these tools will be in bringing evidence into conversations, fortifying experience, then helping the people with the power to act to make better decisions,” she said.
She reaffirmed Luminate’s support for IFI’s institutional development and its WorkGrowth project, particularly its focus on gender justice, children’s rights and technology. (NAN)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
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