‎“I am not crying, but the tears keep flowing.”

‎The words came from a woman recounting a marriage she had hoped would give her children a responsible father. Instead, she said, she was left to navigate divorce, raise her children alone, and rebuild her life in a society where women who leave their marriages often face harsh judgment.

‎Her account was among several shared  at the maiden edition of Resilient Feminist Futures, organized by Naija Feminist Media (NFM) at No. 14 Fadare Street, Ogba, Lagos. The initiative was designed to equip women’s rights defenders with practical digital safety skills while fostering a safe space for dialogue.

‎The workshop brought together feminists, media professionals, and women’s rights advocates to address physical and digital abuse, systemic discrimination, online harassment, and strategies for protection in digital spaces.

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‎One of the most poignant accounts concerned the sexual harassment of women with visual impairments by individuals exploiting their need for assistance in public spaces.

‎Ejiro Adamoran, a visually impaired attendee, spoke about men who offered to guide women across streets or public venues, only to use the opportunity to touch them inappropriately.

‎The eyes cannot see; that is not a license for sexual abuse or touching sensitive parts of the body in the name of helping,” Adamoran stated firmly.

‎For NFM founder Simbiat Bakare, discussions like these are central to challenging societal misconceptions about women’s rights and building inclusive platforms for women to share their lived experiences.

‎Bakare traced her advocacy journey back to the COVID-19 lockdown, when she used X (formerly Twitter) for her business and repeatedly encountered degrading commentary directed at women. Those experiences prompted her to dive deeper into gender equality advocacy, culminating in the establishment of NFM.

‎She shared that her advocacy work has frequently exposed her to cyberbullying, misogynistic attacks, and death threats— yet her commitment to promoting women’s rights remains steadfast.

‎During the workshop, participants tackled widespread societal myths, including the belief that feminism is inherently incompatible with marriage and family life. “What does it mean to be a feminist? Does it mean we should not marry?” one participant asked.

‎Bakare addressed the question by challenging core assumptions about feminism, noting that women face sexual harassment and discrimination regardless of whether they identify with the movement. Avoiding the label, she noted, does not shield women from systemic bias or abuse.

‎The conversation bridged public misconceptions about feminism with personal choice as Praise Oluwadunsin, representing Women to Africa urged women to prioritize their mental health and personal safety over societal pressure to stay in abusive relationships. She also criticized the term “single mother,” arguing that it stigmatizes women by reducing their identities to their marital status.

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‎Similarly,  Founder of The Mums Bridge, Solace Olabode emphasized the importance of skill acquisition, pursuing personal opportunities, and self-growth, while highlighting the unique barriers confronting women living with disabilities.

‎Also, Editor at Fact Check Hub, Motunrayo Joel  encouraged participants to build capacity and pursue financial independence, noting that economic stability expands a woman’s choices and security.

‎These discussions seamlessly complemented the workshop’s core focus on digital security. Women who document abuse, challenge discrimination, and advocate for human rights increasingly rely on online platforms to build communities and disseminate information.

‎Supported by POLLICY, the practical training provided participants with actionable cybersecurity measures, including:

· ‎Utilizing strong, unique password management practices.

· ‎Maintaining encrypted and secure data backups.

· ‎Establishing alternative, secure communication channels for sensitive advocacy work.

· ‎Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) across all primary accounts.

‎Participants analyzed how targeted online attacks serve to silence advocates by cutting them off from their networks, audiences, and crucial documentation.

‎The imperative to speak out was echoed by advocates working at the intersection of disability rights and gender-based violence (GBV) as Rasheedat Folasade, an advocate living with a disability, encouraged women with disabilities to break their silence rather than remain hidden out of fear of public mockery.

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‎Another survivor shared that finding feminism gave her a sense of belonging and helped her overcome the isolation that often accompanies trauma.

‎The media’s influence in shaping public perception was also critically evaluated, as  Oluwaseyi Jimoh, a journalist in attendance, noted that women’s stories are often underrepresented or portrayed unfavorably in mainstream coverage.  Jimoh urged women to recognize their self-worth, resist reductive narratives, while  sharing an insightful poem titled “A Wombman Called Woman.”

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‎Through Resilient Feminist Futures, Naija Feminists Media linked digital safety technical training directly with community care and advocacy. As the workshop concluded, participants reflected on their key takeaways—many committing to speaking out more openly and passing on digital safety practices to women in their local networks.

‎For NFM, the ongoing goal remains turning these temporary gatherings into sustained action: safer digital environments, robust support networks, and empowering platforms for women across Nigeria.

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