By Jones Anlimah
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Ghana Chapter has joined the global community to commence the 2025 Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, with a renewed call for urgent, collective action to tackle the growing threat of digital violence against women and girls.
In a statement issued in Accra and signed by Chairperson of AWLN Ghana, Dr. Charity Binka, to mark the start of the annual campaign, observed from 25th November to 10th December, AWLN Ghana expressed unwavering solidarity with survivors of all forms of gender-based violence, describing the problem as a national crisis that demands bold leadership across all sectors.
This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” highlights the increasing dangers women face in online spaces. According to the Network, many women and girls in Ghana are being subjected to cyberstalking, sexual extortion, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, deepfake manipulation and coordinated online attacks, leading to severe emotional, psychological and social consequences.
AWLN Ghana cautioned that digital violence is not an abstract threat but a real and destructive form of abuse that pushes young girls out of online spaces, undermines women’s public participation and reinforces harmful power structures that already exist offline.
The Chairperson of AWLN Ghana, Dr. Charity Binka, stressed that digital safety is a matter of human rights, justice, equality and national security. She said every woman and girl in Ghana deserves to learn, innovate and express themselves freely in digital spaces without fear of intimidation or harm.
As part of its call to action, AWLN Ghana urged Government and Parliament to strengthen legislation to ensure digital violence is clearly defined, criminalised and effectively prosecuted. It also called on technology companies and digital platforms to improve safety measures and remove harmful content swiftly.
The Network further encouraged national institutions, civil society organisations and communities to invest in public education, prevention efforts and survivor support services that are confidential, accessible and dignified.
AWLN Ghana reaffirmed that ending gender-based violence, including online abuse, is an urgent obligation requiring leadership, accountability and collective responsibility.
The statement concluded with a call for consistent and unified efforts to build a Ghana where technology empowers, rather than harms, and where every woman and girl can live, grow and lead without fear.
