Today 25th November 2025, ASATTAHIR International Foundation (AIF) Flags Off 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Partnership with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Sokoto State Human Rights NGOs, and Donor Agencies, and the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) themed
“UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
The event commenced with a symbolic road walk, which concluded at the AIF Corporate Headquarters, marking the formal take-off of the global 16 Days of Activism in Sokoto state.
In her remarks, the Acting Coordinator of NHRC Sokoto state chapter, Barr. Rashidat Mohammed, who also doubles as the Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Sokoto state Branch, described AIF as a “strategic partner that has consistently demonstrated commitment to protecting women and girls in the northwest. ” She emphasized that this year’s theme is both timely and urgent, calling for prompt and coordinated action.
Also speaking at the event, the State Coordinator of the Sokoto state Human Rights Comrade Lawal Ahmad who represented the Special Adviser to the Governor on Human Rights, NGOs and Donor Agencies urged partners and government institutions to sustain ongoing efforts to ensure that women and girls live dignified, safe, and empowered livelihood. He commended AIF for the significant impact the Foundation continues to make across communities in the state.
In the same vein, Dr. Salhu Abdullahi of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) applauded all partners for their unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls, particularly in the face of rising digital threats and online abuse.
Delivering his welcome address, the Founder and Chairman BoT of AIF, Aliyu Sidi Attahiru, MBA, FICRPC, expressed appreciation to all agencies for recognizing AIF as a dependable and strategic partner.
He highlighted the numerous interventions implemented by the Foundation to safeguard vulnerable women and girls in Sokoto state and beyond.
He reaffirmed AIF’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with stakeholders to complement government efforts in ensuring that women and girls are free from all forms of abuse.
He further noted that misuse of social media and artificial intelligence has created new risks, emphasizing the urgent need to protect women and girls from cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital rights violations. He called for collective action to promote sanity, safety, and respect across all digital platforms.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of AIF, Prof. Yahaya Tanko Baba, expressed deep concern over how the cyberspace has increasingly evolved into a tool for undermining the rights of women and girls.
He described this trend as a disturbing development that contradicts everything AIF represents, emphasizing that such harmful digital practices must be urgently confronted and reversed to safeguard the dignity of women and girls.
The activity also featured interviews with members of the press, partners restated their commitment to ending all forms of violence against women and girls. The programme concluded with a group photograph, symbolizing unity and shared responsibility among all participating organizations.
The flag-off ended with a collective pledge by all partners to rise against all forms of violence (digital and offline) and to ensure that the coming days of this year’s Activism remain impactful, engaging, and transformative for communities across the state.
#16DaysOfActivism #EndGBV #StopGenderBasedViolence #OrangeTheWorld #UNiTE #EndDigitalViolence #ProtectWomenOnline #StopCyberbullying #DigitalSafety #OnlineDignity #AIF #ASATTAHIRInternationalFoundation #Sokoto #NHRC #IHRC #HumanRights #WomenRights #GirlsRights #LeaveNoOneBehind #SafeSpaces
