Journalists for Christ International Outreach (JFC Nigeria) has released a new factsheet to help young people recognise, understand and safely respond to misogyny and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in campus and digital spaces.
The publication, titled “Factsheet on Misogyny and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV),” explains how gender-based abuse can occur across platforms including WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Facebook, campus forums and other online communities.
The resource was developed under the Public Recognition Small Grant, with funding support from the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC).
Mrs Ugonma Cokey, JFC Nigeria’s focal person for the TFGBV project and Vice President of the organisation, said the factsheet was developed in response to the growing role of digital platforms in the everyday lives of young Nigerians.
She said digital spaces provide opportunities for young people to learn, connect, organise, express themselves, promote businesses and build communities, but can also be used to target people because of their gender.
“These spaces can also be used to shame, threaten, sexually harass, stalk, monitor or control people because of their gender,” Cokey said.
She warned against treating online abuse targeting women as simply “online drama”, saying its effects can extend beyond the digital environment to a person’s safety, dignity, education, relationships and participation in public life.
The factsheet identifies several forms of TFGBV, including online and sexual harassment, cyberstalking and digital monitoring, doxxing, image-based abuse, sexting-related abuse, sextortion and blackmail.
It also highlights impersonation and fake accounts, AI-generated and manipulated content, unwanted sexual material and coordinated online attacks.
According to JFC Nigeria, understanding these forms of abuse can help young people recognise harmful behaviour earlier and respond more safely.
Project Officer Ms Blessing Oladunjoye said the resource is designed not only to help potential victims identify abuse but also to encourage young people to act as peer allies and help prevent the further spread of harmful content and behaviour.
The factsheet provides a four-step response framework for young women experiencing TFGBV: STOP, SECURE, REPORT and SUPPORT.
“Recognising technology-facilitated gender-based violence is an important first step towards preventing it,” Oladunjoye said.
She urged young people and members of online communities to take shared responsibility for creating safer digital spaces.
The publication forms part of JFC Nigeria’s ongoing work to promote awareness and public recognition of misogyny and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
The organisation said the factsheet will be distributed to female students in higher institutions across Lagos State and published online to make the resource accessible to a wider student audience across Nigeria.
JFC Nigeria said its broader work focuses on responsible journalism, public awareness and social change.
