The forum brought together officers from the Ghana Police Service, digital technology specialists, civil society organizations, and youth-led groups to address the rising cases of online abuse targeting women and girls.
It was also attended by youth movements including Activista Ghana, CAMFED’s CAMMA Network, Young Female Parliament, She Leads, amongst others.
It featured a panel discussion where the discussants unpacked the causes, effects, and prevention of digital gender-based violence and at the same time educating participants on legal remedies and safe online practices.

Mr John Nkaw, Country Director of ActionAid Ghana, whose speech was read on his behalf during the forum in Tamale by Madam Alia Mumuni, Programme Officer, ActionAid Ghana, Northern Region, highlighted the urgency to confront digital violence as an emerging global threat.
He said, “In a world shaped by technology, a new frontier of violence has emerged. The very tools meant to empower us have become avenues for harm.”

He cited various statistics, saying, nearly one in three women globally had experienced some form of online abuse while over 50 per cent of young African women faced cyber harassment.
He said Ghana mirrored the trend with 41 per cent of women on social media reporting harassment as indicated in a 2022 Media Foundation for West Africa and UNESCO study.

Mr Nkaw said digital violence had far-reaching consequences that destroyed self-esteem, silencing victims, hindering democratic participation, and exposing survivors to long-term stigma.
He said: “When women and girls are secure online, they are empowered to learn, lead, and flourish.”
He reaffirmed ActionAid Ghana’s commitment to advocating for stronger policies, promoting digital literacy, demanding accountability from online platforms, and supporting youth feminist movements.

A panel discussion brought together voices from law enforcement, cyber safety, and women’s rights activists to discuss the topic: “Forms of digital violence against women and girls, safe use of digital space, and how and where to seek support in the event of abuse.”
Chief Superintendent George Appiar-Sakyi, Northern Regional Crime Officer, Ghana Police Service, explained the concept as “Any form of violence, emotional, psychological, verbal, sexual, economic that occurs online through electronic devices. Simply put, digital violence is any of the forms of violence capable of hurting, harming, or even leading to death that takes place in a digital space.”

He noted the forms of abuse as including misinformation, impersonation, harassment, image-based abuse, threats, and non-consensual sharing of private images.
He reminded the public that publishing harmful content was a criminal offense under Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act and Section 76 of the Cybersecurity Act (Act 1038).

Samiha Yunus, Founder of ILMIHA Labs and Executive Director of Women Support Activists Group, described common tactics used to target women online, saying, “Trolling is one of the most common forms. People gang up to mock or insult someone. Others create fake accounts with your photos, sometimes in compromising positions.”
Awakanar Atta Quafi Francis, Chief Executive of Spectrum Edge and ICT Staff at University of Development Studies, highlighted the mental health implications, saying, “Victims may face anxiety, stress, withdrawal from public life, depression, and loss of confidence. Some disappear from social media entirely. The pain is real.”

Miss Sumaya Sulemana, Chairperson, YUWM, emphasized the importance of balancing visibility with responsible digital behaviour.

She said, “The internet never forgets. Whatever you post becomes your mini CV. As young women, we want visibility but we must ensure it represents who we truly are.”
She urged members of the public to stop sharing harmful content and to support young people, who made mistakes online.

Aminu Aynau, a participant from Activista Ghana, said she now felt more confident navigating the online environment, especially after learning how to identify, avoid, and report online abuse.
She said “I used to think online harassment was something you just endure. Today, I learned there are laws to protect us and ways to stay safe.”

Ayisha Mohammed, a participant from the YUWM, said she would be more proactive in discouraging cyberbullying and harmful online behaviour going forward.