Digital threats to women in politics in Nigeria: experiences of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and political party responses

In Nigeria, women hold only 4.5% of all parliamentary seats yet are increasingly targeted by technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF-GBV). A resistance to women’s political empowerment in Nigeria has intensified with online digital attacks becoming the new frontline and a feature – not a bug, of domestic politics. This is putting even greater pressure on progress towards women’s equal representation in Nigeria’s democracy.

Over the last decade, growing internet penetration in the country has allowed politicians to leverage social media to reach their voters. However, this has also coincided with TF-GBV becoming a prevalent feature of women’s experiences of politics as a candidate or elected representative.

This new report by development Research and Projects Centre (dPRC) explores the nature of the online attacks, the gender norms that fuel the sexist content of the abuse, who is perpetrating it and when, as well as what political parties are doing (or not) to respond to this urgent problem. The research also delves into the impacts on women in politics that extend far beyond the online world, cascading into family life, psychological distress, physical and financial safety, and even accelerating an end to women’s political careers.

Women’s underrepresentation in politics is one of the most persistent democratic deficits around the world. In face of a growing rate of TF-GBV, political parties as key democratic actors, should be leading the charge in preventing and responding to TF-GBV. Yet, as this report finds, most parties in Nigeria do not sufficiently address TF-GBV, let alone strive to prevent it from happening.

The report draws on the analysis of social media posts on platform X, key informant interviews with women politicians from four states, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Rivers who come from across the country’s political landscape, and review of party documents. It is part of a joint ALIGN research project in partnership with development Research and Projects Centre (dPRC) and Data Pop Alliance (DPA) in Brazil.  

Key messages

• Perpetrators of TF-GBV weaponise patriarchal gender norms to keep women out of politics. They use sexist slurs on social media, doxxing or threats of rape and murder in messenger groups to intimidate and delegitimise women political candidates.
• Abuse follows a misogynistic script rooted in gender stereotypes and norms – with attacks focused on questioning competency, belittling appearance, or challenging morality and sexuality.
• Online abuse is not random but fits a clear pattern. There is a clear ‘visibility penalty’ for women politicians, with attacks spiking during campaigns, elections or when they gain prominence through a high-profile position or policy debate.
• Political parties are not blind to TF-GBV – they’re often complicit. Often TF-GBV is perpetuated by politicians and their supporters as part of electoral politicking – both within their own parties and against competitors. Accountability is rare and institutional support systems are weak or non-existent.