By joshua 
Edo First Lady’s Office Joins Forces With State Assembly To Combat Digital Violence
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
The Office of the First Lady of Edo State has put machinery in motion to collaborate with the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) to amend the law against Gender Based Violence to criminalise digital violence.
The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo-Anani stated this at the closing ceremony marking the end of the 2025 16 Days Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Edo State.
Anani who was represented by the immediate past Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and member representing Esan North-East 11 Constituency in the House, Hon. Mrs Marie Omozele Oligbi-Edeko disclosed that the House of Assembly has already made a firm promise to the First Lady during her visit to the House on its commitment to amending the law to include the emerging trend of digital violence and other cyber crimes against women to tame the menace.
She noted that amending the law to punish digital offences is the first step in realising the theme of this year’s 16 Days Activism which is, “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
While appreciating members of the Edo State Gender-Based Violence Committee for taking out time to educate women during the 16 Days Activism, Hon. Oligbi-Edeko enumerated the things that constitute violence against women and girls to include physical violence, rape, economic violence, such as husbands not allowing their wives to work, emotional violence and digital violence such as using Artificial Intelligence to superimpose images of women and girls on obscene pictures and images, all in a bid to debase their womanhood.
In her welcome address, the Honourable Commissioner for women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Eugenia Abdallah , said the global campaign provides a renewed opportunity to speak with one voice to strengthen partnership and intensify our collective resolve to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
“In Edo State we recognise that ending gender based violence requires sustainable strong institutions. We have operationalised additional GBV referral centres across the senatorial districts to ensure survivors can access timely and confidential services.
“Over the past months, the Ministry has trained service providers, law enforcement officers, community leaders and social workers on survivors centered approaches and digital safety.
“We must promote digital literacy and safety, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen the reporting mechanism , advocate for online space and support survivors with empathy and confidentiality.”