By Esther Olaoluwa |
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is increasingly affecting the livelihoods, safety and economic wellbeing of vulnerable people in Nigeria, with 54.9 per cent of respondents in a recent study reporting that online violence had negatively affected their employment or ability to generate income.
The finding was contained in a report titled “Toxic Tech,” launched by TechHer in partnership with Luminate during a national policy dialogue on rights, justice and digital safety in Abuja.
The report examined the impact of technology-facilitated gender-based violence on women, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups, highlighting how online abuse is increasingly extending beyond digital spaces to affect livelihoods, mental health, personal safety and access to justice.
The research drew from three surveys involving 373 analytically eligible respondents, alongside interviews and focus group discussions.
Online Abuse Takes Economic Toll
According to the report, 46.2 per cent of respondents whose livelihoods were affected said psychological distress resulting from online abuse prevented them from working effectively.
Another 35.9 per cent said relocating for personal safety disrupted their income, while the same percentage reported losing customers, clients or business opportunities because of the abuse.
A further 7.7 per cent said they eventually lost their jobs.
The report also found that 54.9 per cent of respondents had incurred personal expenses on safety measures aimed at mitigating digital abuse.
Among those who disclosed the amount spent, nearly three-quarters said they had spent at least ₦50,000 on measures to protect themselves from continued online attacks.
Survivors Face Costly Access to Justice
Speaking during the report launch, Head of Programmes at TechHer, Peter Akinnusi, said the research was designed to provide evidence that would help shape policies and strengthen digital safety protections for women and vulnerable communities.
Akinnusi described digital platforms as “the new public square,” noting that the increasing migration of social interactions online has made digital safety an important human rights concern.
He said the research identified repeated experiences of online abuse, particularly among persons with disabilities, who face additional challenges because they may be targeted online while navigating digital platforms that remain largely inaccessible.
Akinnusi also disclosed that survivors seeking justice after experiencing digital harm incurred significant legal and administrative expenses, with some spending between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000.
He questioned how Nigerians earning around the national minimum wage could afford such costs while still meeting their basic needs.
Persons with Disabilities Face Multiple Vulnerabilities
Akinnusi said technology-facilitated violence could stem from multiple aspects of a person’s identity rather than gender alone.
He noted that women who are also persons with disabilities or members of other vulnerable communities could face multiple forms of discrimination because of their intersecting identities.
Representing Luminate’s Vice-President for Africa, Toyin Akinniyi, Tari Wills said online abuse could also expose survivors to physical danger.
She identified practices such as doxxing, cyberstalking and digital harassment as forms of abuse that could move beyond online spaces, noting that people could be traced or tracked through information shared online.
Wills, however, stressed that efforts to combat online abuse should not undermine fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, association and access to information.
She called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, technology companies and digital rights advocates to create safer online spaces while protecting democratic freedoms.
Report Calls for Inclusive Digital Policies
The report recommended stronger implementation of existing legal frameworks, improved digital accessibility and greater consideration for the needs of women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the design of online platforms.
It also called for stronger collaboration between public institutions and civil society organisations to improve access to justice for survivors and reduce the financial burden associated with seeking legal remedies.
The report further urged stakeholders to recognise the economic consequences of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and strengthen measures to prevent abuse and protect survivors.
As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, the findings highlight concerns that failure to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence could deepen existing inequalities and limit the participation of vulnerable groups in society.
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