The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr Solomon Ehigiator Arase, has condemned the increasing abuse women face online and stressed the need for police awareness in the country to address the growing menace.
The Chairman made a call during the advocacy visit by the TechHerNG team to his office in Abuja.
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TechHer, an organisation committed to leveraging technology for social impact, met with the Chairman of the Commission to explore potential collaboration in the fight against Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV). TechHer also introduced Kuram, a homegrown reporting and response mechanism for incidents of online gender-based violence.
The delegation, led by the Executive Director of TechHerNG, Chioma Agwuegbo, expressed concern about the rise of Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV) and other forms of harm against women and girls, both online and offline. Agwuegbo emphasised the crucial role of security personnel in creating awareness, rigorous investigations and swift apprehension of perpetrators.
“Our mission is to partner with all the stakeholders in the access to justice route for online gender-based violence. We have isolated all the laws pertaining to online gender-based violence. We are developing a prosecutorial manual to enhance the police’s understanding of the legal framework concerning the escalating peril faced by women in digital spaces. This initiative aims to equip law enforcement with the necessary knowledge to effectively address and tackle the challenges posed by online gender-based violence,” she said.
The TechHer team, through its Women’s Rights & Safety Officer, Amina Salaudeen, appreciated the Police Service Commission’s exceptional efforts in preventing and combating gender-based violence through its dedicated gender desk and commitment to efficient policing. Recognising the pivotal role of technology in tackling societal challenges, the team also shared insights into Kuram, emphasising its features that empower OGBV survivors to report incidents and access resources for combating digital violence.
“Kuram, derived from ‘Keep me Safe’ in Tiv, represents an innovative platform meticulously designed to empower OGBV survivors. It facilitates incident reporting, access to support, and essential resources. Furthermore, Kuram’s educational materials significantly contribute to TechHer’s holistic approach, fostering awareness about OGBV and promoting responsible online behaviour, especially among young individuals,” Salaudeen said.
The Chairman extended a cordial welcome to the TechHer Team, commending their dedication to the safety of women and girls. He emphasised the crucial role of partnerships and collaborative efforts in raising awareness and enhancing security measures against this digital threat. He praised TechHer for initiatives like Kuram, which reflect the commission’s commitment to promoting human rights, with a particular focus on women and girls.
“This collaborative effort is timely and essential, as workshops and seminars will be organised to enlighten the police and the general public about the Commission’s active endeavours in combating this digital menace. Moreover, the newly established Compliance Monitoring Unit we have just launched will ensure strict compliance with the Commission’s initiatives to effectively address and curtail such threats,” Arase said.
Agwuegbo conveyed TechHer’s thanks for the reception and hand of fellowship from the Commission, highlighting the meeting as fulfilling one of TechHer’s core objectives of fostering strong alliances for a safer society.
“We are thankful for this collaboration, as it aligns with TechHer’s mission to utilise our convening power and forge partnerships with state actors and duty bearers to combat the growth of online gender-based violence in all its forms,” she said.
