——– Says the event embodies creativity, message clarity, and strong advocacy impact.
Women Aid Collective (WACOL), in partnership with Alliance Française, on Friday, December 5, 2025, hosted a vibrant Arts Competition and Exhibition to mark the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The event, held under the theme “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” brought together artists, advocates, students, policymakers, and community leaders to spotlight the rising threat of online abuse and the urgent need for collective action.
The exhibition was hosted by Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, OON, SAN, a renowned professor of public law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), former United Nations Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, and the founder of Women Aid Collective/TAMARSARC.
Her leadership and long-standing advocacy for women’s rights set a powerful tone for the event.
In her remarks, Prof. Ezeilo emphasized that digital spaces, though essential for education, communication, and innovation, have increasingly become avenues for harassment, cyberbullying, impersonation, non-consensual image sharing, and other forms of online violence targeted at women and girls. She noted that the exhibition aimed to use creativity as a tool to amplify awareness and inspire solutions.
According to her, “ we believe we have young men and women who we have listed to join campaign against Gender Based Violence and all forms of gender base violence. We don’t want violence whether against men, boys, girls, women, persons with disabilities etc. A society that is free from violence is what makes realization of human dignity and human happiness possible. The stereotypical roles of men and women is what we are fighting against, the inferiority complex. The violence we see that are expressed in this arts is depressing but they are all we see in the society and are phenomenon. But with this it will raise voices, visibility to what we are fighting for.
Continuing, let us all unite to end all forms of gender based violence and we seek government support to this crusade. We also need effective implementation of the extanct laws both the international, regional and national laws and all the 36 states in Nigeria that have adopted Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act. We need implementation . It takes a community to raise awareness, it takes a community to demand accountability, it takes a community to prevent gender base violence. We thank all our partners, Forte Foundation, Alliance Francaise , the institutions that participated in this and we believe by this they will be inspired to continue in the campaign we are doing. I also thank the media for their support and to everyone, thank you all, he concluded.”
She noted that combating digital gender-based violence requires strong legal frameworks, digital literacy, responsible technology use, and a united front from families, institutions, governments, and tech companies.
She urged young people to use their online presence positively and to speak out against any form of abuse.
The Arts Competition featured powerful dance, drama section against Gender Based Violence presented by Therapeutic Inclusive Secondary School, Abakpa, paintings, illustrations, spoken-word presentations, and digital art pieces created by young talents who interpreted the theme through their personal experiences and societal observations.
The artworks highlighted the emotional, psychological, and social impacts of online violence while envisioning a safer digital future for all women and girls.
Officials of Alliance Française expressed delight in partnering with WACOL, reaffirming their commitment to supporting initiatives that promote human rights, cultural expression, and community empowerment.
Also in attendance were Dr. Nkechi Ezeilo, Barr. Chidimma Okwuahulu, Enugu State Task Force Coordinator against Gender Based Violence. Other Participants and attendees described the exhibition as both educational and transformative, praising the unique use of art as a medium to challenge harmful narratives and encourage a culture of respect online.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign running, serving as a call to governments, organizations, and individuals to take concrete action toward ending violence in all its forms both offline and online.