On 25 November, the Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee, Ghana, officially launched the global 16 Days of Activism campaign. The ceremony, a powerful display of unity and hope, saw the National Theatre of Ghana illuminated in brilliant orange, symbolizing the urgent need to eradicate Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The lighting event, now in its third year, brought together critical development allies, including representatives from UN Women and CEGENSA, emphasizing that the fight for women’s safety requires collective partnership across all sectors.

While GBV is a longstanding human rights violation, the digital era has created new avenues for abuse. This year’s global theme—“UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”—addresses the increasing prevalence of online harassment, cyberstalking, digital exploitation and hate speech targeting women and girls. With nearly one in three women worldwide experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes, the rise of digital threats further impacts mental health, economic participation and freedom of expression.

District 18 Governor Opeibea Omaboe centered her keynote address on this digital urgency, reaffirming Zonta’s commitment to informed advocacy and collective action. She emphasized that combating digital violence requires a unified and vigilant response.

The Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee has long championed the rights of women and children in Ghana. In alignment with this year’s theme, the club is expanding its efforts to strengthen digital resilience at the community level. This includes adopting the Chorkor Girls School in Accra to promote digital literacy and online safety awareness. The club continues to elevate survivors’ voices while advocating for stronger legal protections and enhanced accountability across online platforms.

The club also called for more decisive action from state institutions. While acknowledging the efforts of the Ministry of Gender, Women and Social Protection, the club urged greater digital visibility and proactive engagement. It also called for coordinated action with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General to close critical gaps in preventing, protecting and prosecuting cyber-related violence. These include updating laws to address digital forms of abuse, equipping law enforcement for cyber-investigation and improving decentralized support systems for victims.

As the 16 Days of Activism continue, the orange illumination of the National Theatre stands as a reminder of the shared responsibility among government, tech actors, media and civil society. The Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee hopes it will spark meaningful conversation, legislative progress and a collective commitment to building a safer, more inclusive digital world where women and girls are protected, respected and able to participate without fear.