Bayelsa Ministry Leads Walk in Sampou, Condemns Rising Digital Violence Against Women, Girls
The Bayelsa State Ministry of Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development has condemned the rising cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), particularly online abuse, aligning with the global theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
Speaking during the Walk Against Digital Violence and All Forms of Violence Against Women and Children held on Thursday, 27 November 2025, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Agnes Oloye, urged young women and girls to be cautious in their digital interactions. She advised them to desist from sharing nude or compromising images with partners, stressing that such materials are frequently weaponized against victims on social media.
Oloye described the surge in cyberbullying, online blackmail, and the circulation of inappropriate images as “deeply troubling trends” that require urgent and collective community response. Addressing students of Government Science and Technical College, Sampou, she encouraged responsible social media use and warned students against pressures that promote nudity or other risky online behaviour.
The Permanent Secretary further called on victims of digital abuse to speak out and seek help from designated authorities, emphasizing that no survivor should “suffer in silence” when support and reporting systems are available.
The awareness walk, which traversed Sampou Community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, drew participation from ministry officials, students, teachers, and community stakeholders, all clad in branded campaign T-shirts to amplify the message.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to sustained public sensitization, survivor-centered support services, and strengthened policies aimed at protecting vulnerable groups across Bayelsa State.
