Strengthening Judicial Capacity to Tackle TFGBV in Nigeria

 As our lives migrate increasingly into digital spaces, so too does the nature of violence. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) is no longer a distant threat—it is a present reality that demands a sophisticated legal response. From the non-consensual sharing of intimate images to AI-driven harassment and digital stalking, the courtroom is the new frontline for human rights.

(Training workshop for Judges and Magistrates on TFGBV)

On April 16, 2026, in Kaduna State Nigeria, Children and Young People Living for Peace (CYPLP) took a decisive step in fortifying this frontline by hosting an intensive one-day training workshop for Judges and Magistrates.

The centerpiece of the training was the unveiling of a specialized Nigeria-context manual on TFGBV, developed by CYPLP. This manual is not just a theoretical guide; it is a practical roadmap for judicial officers navigating the complexities of the Cybercrimes Act and the unique evidentiary challenges of the Nigerian legal landscape.

This milestone was achieved through a formidable technical partnership with:

• The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, USA

• Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie LP, Nigeria’s premier law firm.

One of the most critical gaps in prosecuting digital crimes is the understanding of forensic "digital trails." To bridge this, the workshop featured facilitators from Lucid Truth Technologies (USA). These private forensic investigators provided the Judges and Magistrates with a deep dive into how digital evidence is harvested, preserved, and authenticated—ensuring that perpetrators can no longer hide behind the anonymity of the screen.

This judicial workshop is not an isolated event. It is the first phase of a comprehensive ecosystem-wide strengthening of the Nigerian legal system. Supported by funding from Fred-Young & Evans LP (Abuja), 

(Group photo of Judges and Magistrates as participants to CYPLP, TFGBV workshop)

CYPLP is moving forward with a rigorous schedule to ensure all stakeholders in the justice value chain are equipped:

• April 28, 2026: Training for State Prosecutors and Pro-bono Lawyers.

• May 6, 2026: Capacity building for Court Registrars on the administrative handling of digital evidence.

For a decades, Children and Young People Living for Peace (CYPLP) has been at the forefront of social justice in Nigeria. Since our founding, we have believed that peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice—both offline and online.

By training the "gatekeepers" of our laws, we are ensuring that survivors of TFGBV find a judiciary that is not only sympathetic but technically capable of delivering justice in the 21st century.


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