By Our Correspondent
The Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls—particularly in the digital space—as it partners with the Side by Side Movement, Nigerian Interfaith and Traditional Leaders for Gender Justice, to tackle the growing challenge of online abuse in the state.
Receiving leaders of the Movement during an advocacy visit, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, expressed deep concern over the rising cases of digital violence targeting women and girls.
He described the trend as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” especially in a society that upholds justice, human dignity, and constitutional freedoms.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued to media outlets by Sani Abba Yola, Director of Special Duties at the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs.
The Commissioner noted that he has long been associated with the Side by Side Movement and still considers himself part of it, as its mission aligns with his lifelong commitment to amplifying the voices of the underprivileged.
Waiya emphasized that the Kano State Government, under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, remains fully committed to upholding human rights and strengthening justice-sector institutions.
According to him, this commitment is evident in ongoing reforms aimed at improving the criminal justice system, including the government’s decision to replace police prosecutors in courts with trained lawyers to ensure more professional and efficient justice delivery.
Addressing the issue of digital abuse, the Commissioner lamented that although social media is intended to be a platform for citizens to freely express their views—as guaranteed by the Constitution—some individuals have turned it into a hostile environment, particularly for women and girls.
He assured the delegation that the Ministry will establish a strategic engagement framework to mobilize key stakeholders, influential social media personalities, and community voices to collectively address digital violence against women and girls in Kano State.
In his remarks, the Co-Chair of the Side by Side Movement, Nigerian Interfaith and Traditional Leaders for Gender Justice (Kano State Chapter), Reverend Samuel Adeyemi, stated that the Movement is seeking a strong partnership with the Ministry to combat the menace of online abuse targeting women and young girls.
He also called for government support in advocating for the passage of the Violence Against Women and Girls Bill in Kano State, noting that several states across the country have already enacted similar laws.
Reverend Adeyemi explained that their advocacy visit aimed to reinforce the message of zero tolerance for digital violence and to ensure that the online environment becomes safer, more respectful, and more inclusive for all women and girls.
