Divine Torch Foundation urges stronger national action against rising online violence as Ghana marks 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

The Divine Torch Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has called on the government, digital service providers, communities, and families to intensify efforts to prevent and respond to the escalating cases of online violence against women and girls.

The appeal comes as Ghana joins the global commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed annually from November 25 to December 10.

The international campaign, launched in 1991 during the Women’s Global Leadership Institute, remains one of the world’s most influential platforms for rallying action against violence targeting women and girls.

This year’s global theme, “UNITE! Stop Digital Abuse Against All Women and Girls,” highlights the growing wave of technology-facilitated violence, ranging from cyberbullying, identity theft, and online stalking to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, sextortion, and misogynistic digital attacks.

According to the Foundation, such acts constitute serious violations of rights and dignity, often resulting in long-term emotional, psychological, and economic harm.

In a statement, Ms. Louisa Atta Akpoto, Founder of the Divine Torch Foundation, said the rapid evolution of digital technology had opened new avenues for abuse, exposing many women and girls to harassment, threats, and exploitation online.

She stressed that digital violence must be treated with the same seriousness as physical or psychological abuse.

“We cannot talk about empowerment without talking about safety, both online and offline,” she said, adding that the impacts of digital abuse were “real, far-reaching, and often permanent.”

Ms. Akpoto noted that online harassment and harmful digital content silence women’s voices, discourage their participation in leadership and professional spaces, and create unsafe environments that undermine equal opportunity.

As part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism, the Foundation will embark on nationwide sensitisation and advocacy programmes.

These include radio and media campaigns on digital safety, community and school outreach sessions, digital protection workshops for women and girls, advocacy engagements for improved cybercrime response systems, and storytelling and awareness initiatives focusing on prevention and survivor support.

The organisation encouraged parents, teachers, guardians, and youth leaders to guide young girls on responsible online behaviour while helping to build supportive environments for victims of digital abuse.

The Foundation also urged the government to strengthen cybercrime legislation, enhance reporting systems, and ensure swifter prosecution of online offenders. It called on telecommunication companies and social media platforms to improve user protections and promptly act on harmful content.

Additionally, the Foundation appealed to men and boys to serve as allies in challenging sexist online behaviour and defending women’s digital rights.

It urged communities to stop circulating harmful content and to stand firmly with survivors, while advising women and girls to prioritise their digital safety, report abuse, and seek support when at risk.