MTN Ghana has launched the 2025 edition of its 16 Days of Gender-Based Activism campaign, with a renewed call to end digital violence against women and children.
Speaking at the launch, held in partnership with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted the urgent need to protect vulnerable groups in an increasingly digital world.
She explained that this year’s campaign focuses on the theme: “Uniting to End Digital Violence Against Women and Children.”
She noted that as society shifts much of its interaction online, new forms of abuse—such as cyberbullying, online harassment, impersonation, and the sharing of harmful content—have become widespread and harmful, particularly to women and minors.
“We know about gender-based violence in its physical form. But today, as our lives move online, violence has followed us there,
Cyberbullying and various online attacks are impacting women and children every day, and it is important that we speak about it openly.” She said.
She emphasised that MTN’s involvement is directly tied to the company’s responsibility within the digital ecosystem.
“For MTN, the internet is our operating space. We believe everyone deserves the benefit of a modern connected life—and that comes with the responsibility to make the online world safe,” she stressed.
This year’s campaign places strong emphasis on education and early prevention, bringing together both boys and girls to learn about online behaviour, cyber hygiene, and the legal implications of harmful digital conduct.
“We are bringing both boys and girls together because addressing digital violence requires shaping attitudes early,
“Many children do not know that the comments they post, the insults, or the pictures they share can constitute a crime or harm others deeply. They must first understand the issue before they can identify and report it.” She explained.
Representatives from the Cyber Security Authority also joined the event to sensitise students on online safety and responsible digital citizenship.
Adwoa Wiafe noted that MTN will roll out similar awareness programmes across the country over the 16-day period, working closely with DOVVSU to intensify reporting, support victims, and promote safer online engagement.
She further clarified that although the campaign focuses heavily on women—who statistically face higher levels of digital and physical abuse—the initiative targets both boys and girls, men and women, because violence in any form affects society as a whole.
“We are not only focusing on women. Violence against anyone is wrong. But the statistics show that women are more likely to experience both physical and online violence, which is why you hear us highlighting their experiences,” she added.
The Director of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Owusuaa Kyeremeh, in her remarks, underscored the urgent need for collective responsibility in tackling both online and offline forms of abuse.
She emphasised that digital violence is real, pervasive, and capable of causing long-term psychological and emotional harm—particularly to women and children.
ACP Kyeremeh noted that as society becomes more digitally connected, young people are increasingly exposed to harmful online behaviour, including cyberbullying, hacking, impersonation, the circulation of explicit content, and other forms of technology-facilitated abuse.
She urged students to be vigilant, responsible, and conscious of the impact their online actions can have on others.
The Director of Education at the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Benjamin Osei Addae, welcomed the initiative and stressed its importance at a time when the world is rapidly transitioning into a fully digital era.
He noted that programmes like this play a vital role in equipping young people with the knowledge needed to navigate digital platforms safely and responsibly.
He commended MTN and DOVVSU for collaborating on an initiative that promotes digital literacy and child protection, adding that such engagements must occur more regularly rather than once every few months.
He appealed to the organisers to institutionalise the programme so that more schools can benefit consistently.
MTN Ghana’s 16 Days of Activism campaign will feature nationwide educational workshops, media engagements, school outreaches, and community forums—all aimed at creating a safer digital environment for all.
