World Impact Development Foundation - WIDEF

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Civic Space Resource Hub for in strongly condemns the reported abduction and continued disappearance of journalist Stanley Ugagbe in , Nigeria.

We call on the and security agencies to act immediately.

Read full statement and add your voice to the hashtag .

As we conclude the Information Integrity Webinar Series, we invite you to the 6th and final session:
Smart Tech, Safe Choices: Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI.

In commemoration of Safer Internet Day 2026, this dialogue will examine how Artificial Intelligence is transforming our information ecosystem and what it means to use AI responsibly, ethically, and safely.

From AI governance and cybersecurity to fact-checking and digital accountability, this session brings together leading voices to explore how innovation must be balanced with integrity.

📅 18 February 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM (WAT)
Register now 👇
https://bit.ly/40bi12M

WIDEF and BBFP Co-Host Two-Day Capacity-Building Training for Youth Activists on Cybercrime Law and the Safe Use of Social Media for Civic Engagement

Cybercrime laws in Nigeria, often justified under the umbrella of national security, are increasingly being used to criminalize free speech and restrict civic space, especially for youth activists.

The frequent use of defamation, cyberbullying, and libel provisions to suppress dissent has become more rampant, raising urgent concerns about how to balance legitimate legal enforcement with the protection of democratic and human rights.

In response to these challenges, the World Impact Development Foundation (WIDEF) and Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFP) are co-hosting a Two-Day Capacity-Building Training for Youth Activists focused on Cybercrime Law and the Safe Use of Social Media for Civic Engagement.

The training will unpack key elements of the cybercrime law, explore its implications for civic space and youth activism, and equip participants with practical knowledge for safe, responsible, and impactful online engagement.

Objectives of the Training:

- Strengthen the protection of the democratic and human rights of young people through continuous education, engagement, and strengthened youth protection platforms.

- Enlighten and educate youth activists on the content, scope, and effects of cybercrime laws on civic space and freedom of expression.

- Engage youth leaders and activists on the safe and strategic use of social media and other digital tools for advocacy, civic participation, and democratic accountability.

- Build the capacity of youth platforms to defend civic space, promote free speech, and respond effectively to digital rights violations.

Held during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the 5th Webinar explored how digital spaces are increasingly weaponized to harass, intimidate, and silence women and girls.

Drawing on research, field experience, and regional case studies, speakers outlined the rising threats, from targeted online abuse to deepfakes and other AI-driven harms, intensified by low digital literacy and harmful social norms.

The discussion examined how these forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence undermine safety, dignity, and participation, especially for women in public roles such as journalists, activists, and political leaders.

Panelists stressed that individuals cannot and should not be left to navigate these risks alone, pointing to persistent gaps in platform governance, moderation practices, and survivor support.

Experts highlighted practical solutions, including integrating digital safety into school curricula, strengthening legal and reporting mechanisms, enhancing platform accountability, and expanding psychosocial and community-based support systems. Country examples of coordinated cyber-response structures and hotlines demonstrated promising approaches.

The session concluded with a call for coordinated, multisector action, across governments, platforms, media, civil society, and international organizations, to build safer, more trustworthy digital spaces for women and girls during the 16 Days campaign and far beyond.

Digital spaces must be safe for every woman and girl.

Join us today as we examine how Nigeria can protect civic space, uphold freedom of expression, and end the rising digital violence targeting women and girls.

🗓️ Wednesday, 26 Nov 2025 | 12:00 PM (WAT)
👉 Register Now: http://bit.ly/UNIC-Webinar