STAKEHOLDERS in the media sector on Friday underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts from local, religious, and national leaders to combat gendered disinformation and gender-based violence (GBV).
This consensus emerged during a webinar hosted by The FactCheckHub as part of its commemoration of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The webinar came against the background of this digital age where voices are amplified and connections are forged across borders, but where an insidious menace thrives in the shadows—gendered disinformation.
This targeted form of abuse transcends cyberspace, often escalating into real-world violence against women, particularly those who step into leadership roles, advocate for equality, or challenge societal norms.
READ: Analysing the influence of gendered disinformation in Nigeria
The webinar, titled: How Gendered Disinformation Impacts GBV in Nigeria, was moderated by The FactCheckHub Editor, Opeyemi Kehinde, where panelists provided insights into the pervasive issue of gendered disinformation and its real-world consequences.
Hannah Ajakaiye, the founding editor of FactsMatterNG, highlighted the coordinated nature of online attacks targeting women. She cited the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti and Rinu Oduala, who were subjected to a smear campaign involving organized disinformation, including the release of their physical addresses online.
“Twitter (now X) is actually like a very toxic space where a lot of gendered disinformation happens, especially in the Nigerian context when it comes to Nigerian women. So we’ve seen that and we’ve seen even instances where like the physical address of some of the GBV victims were released online,” Ajakaiye noted.
Ebunoluwa Olafusi, the FactCheck Editor at The Cable, drew attention to the use of memes and false narratives as tools of disinformation. She described how the gender wars on X (formerly Twitter) often devolve into coordinated attacks, with participants weaponizing personal insults and spreading disinformation about women and girls.
“Someone would just drop a picture. You don’t need to put a caption. And by the time you look at the comments, or the topic of discussion that is causing the wahala, and you look at the picture or the image that has been dropped, you don’t need the caption to tell you what they are talking about.
“You see memes used to discredit women. They bring up false narratives, even if a bit of them are true. But there’s a way they coordinate themselves to, you know, amplify these narratives against women,” Olafusi stated.
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Addressing the persistent barriers to women’s emancipation, Prosper Ishaya, a reporter with Social Voices attributed it to the role men played in perpetuating patriarchal norms.
He said that despite the increasing number of women taking on breadwinner roles, many men still hold onto outdated beliefs that confine women to traditional domestic roles.
“Most men feel like the whole gender equality shouldn’t be a thing. Most men still hang on to the belief that women belong to the kitchen, women belong to the rooms, and stuff like that.
“But, on the fight for gender equality and gender equity, we still have a long way to go. Because of the perception of the majority of men… women as a demography are actually a minority at present. And, for now, I think the fight just needs to be on. The pressure needs to be pushed, worked out,” Ishaya emphasized.
Stakeholders observed that proffering solutions to address gendered disinformation requires a multifaceted approach that involves not only debunking false narratives but also actively promoting accurate, inclusive, and respectful representations of gender issues across various platforms.
Motunrayo Joel, the Deputy Editor of Africa Check Nigeria, emphasised the importance of establishing robust support systems for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), noting that efforts should go beyond merely addressing the issues of gender disinformation and fake narratives about women and girls.
She also called for a collective approach involving various stakeholders, including local leaders, religious leaders, national leaders, and community representatives, to combat GBV and gender disinformation effectively. She stressed the need for engaging with communities through council meetings and outreach efforts to rally support and foster a united stand against these issues.
“Our leaders have to come together. You know, this is a fight that’s not only by us, either as survivors or fact-checkers or journalists. Local leaders, religious leaders, and national leaders must be involved.
“Yes, this is something we hear over and over again. But I’ve come to realize that when we all come together to fight something, the fight is always much stronger. We also need to invest in women. Starting from a young age, we should start preaching empowerment. We should start looking at how to invest in girls,” Joel stated.
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On her part, Ajakaiye echoed the need for systemic reforms, pointing out that while Nigeria has laws addressing GBV and gendered disinformation, enforcement remains a significant challenge. She urged digital platforms to establish mechanisms for accountability and provide avenues for victims to seek redress. Legislative reforms and institutional strengthening were also highlighted as essential steps to protect women’s rights whether online or offline.
Olafusi however emphasised the need for stringent punishments for GBV perpetrators and increased awareness about available resources to help women seeking justice. She also called on the media to avoid perpetuating gender stereotypes in their reportage, urging journalists to exercise caution in their choice of adjectives and narratives to prevent harmful biases from taking root.
Seasoned fact-checker and researcher Fatimah Quadri has written numerous fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy pieces for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org.
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