By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
Delta State on Tuesday joined the rest of the world to mark the grand finale of the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, with a renewed call for sustained action to end all forms of abuse, particularly the rising wave of digital violence targeting women and girls.
The global campaign, which ran from November 25 to December 10, carried the theme: “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.” In Delta State, the closing ceremony brought together government officials, civil society organisations, advocacy groups, and community stakeholders who reaffirmed their collective resolve to build safer, more inclusive communities.
Speaking at the event, officials emphasised that gender-based violence, whether physical, psychological, economic, or online, remains a grave human rights violation and a significant barrier to equality, justice, and sustainable development. They stressed the need to confront entrenched cultural norms, harmful stereotypes, and emerging forms of abuse, especially on digital platforms where many young people now interact daily.
“We must break the silence, challenge the norms, and create a world where everyone can live free from fear,” organisers declared, urging citizens to remain vigilant and proactive in reporting cases of abuse.
They further reiterated the popular advocacy charge:
“If you see something, say something. If you say something, do something.”
This year’s campaign in Delta State featured a series of outreach activities, including community sensitisation, school engagements, media advocacy, capacity-building workshops for frontline responders, and digital safety training for young women. These interventions aimed not only to build awareness but also to strengthen the response systems across all local government areas.
The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development noted that efforts are underway to improve inter-agency coordination, enhance case-management frameworks, and expand social support services for survivors of violence—ensuring quicker intervention, better protection, and stronger access to justice.
The Delta State Government also received commendation for its continuous support of gender equality initiatives. Special appreciation was extended to:
His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State
Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, the First Lady of Delta State
Hon. Evang. Barr. (Mrs.) Pat Ajudua, PhD, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development
Stakeholders praised the Governor and the Commissioner for demonstrating unwavering commitment to the protection of women, children, and other vulnerable groups through policy reforms, advocacy campaigns, and increased community engagement.
As the 2025 campaign draws to a close, advocates stressed that the end of the annual 16-day period should not mean the end of action. They called for continuous collaboration among communities, institutions, and policymakers to sustain the fight against all forms of gender-based violence—online and offline.



















