The French Embassy in Nigeria, in partnership with the Strong Enough Girls Empowerment Initiative (SEGEI) and Zabi Repro Health Initiative, is set to equip 80 secondary school students in Kwara State with skills to combat Digital Gender-Based Violence (DGBV).

The initiative, titled 'Safe Spaces Online: Empowering Adolescents to End Digital Violence', aims to strengthen the digital safety capacity of students (both girls and boys from five secondary schools) by equipping them with tools to:

• Prevent online harassment.
• Identify cyberbullying and sextortion.
• Report online harassment and other forms of digital abuse.

The one-week micro-project, scheduled to take place from November 25 to December 12, 2025, also commemorates the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.

Speaking on the initiative, Queen Ugwoeru, Executive Director of SEGEI, said: "As young Nigerians increasingly rely on digital spaces for learning, connection, and self-expression, we must equip them with the knowledge and agency to protect themselves and uplift others online. This partnership with the French Embassy enables us to support adolescents to build safer and more inclusive digital communities."

She added that the project also includes outreach to school authorities and parents, ensuring the establishment of long-term support systems and accountability mechanisms to protect young internet users.

The one-week micro-project, scheduled to take place from November 25, commemorates the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV and aligns with the global theme "Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls."

According to the organisers, it marks SEGEI's first digital safety intervention in Kwara State and supports the Embassy's commitment to advancing gender equality, youth empowerment, and safer digital environments in Nigeria.

During the programme, students from the five secondary schools will participate in interactive sessions on digital rights, online consent, cyber-safety tools, ethical technology use, and positive allyship.

Participants will also co-create youth-led advocacy messages and storytelling content, amplifying their voices in the fight against online gender-based violence.