Imagine being a 14-year-old girl walking into school. Your head is probably full of teenage drama , like making up with your best friend after a fight, talking to your crush, or planning your next cool outfit.&nbsp; You definitely shouldn’t be thinking,&nbsp; "I should plan an escape route in case I get kidnapped or assaulted today."

But that's exactly what happened to the Kebbi schoolgirls last week. That was the reality for the 303 students taken from Niger State. The 40 mothers with their babies in Kebbi? They probably thought it was just another ordinary day too.

These stories became their lives. And the scariest part? We've somehow become numb to headlines like these, forgetting that the danger is getting closer and closer to home. One day, it could be someone you know. It could be you. It could be us

Click, Share, Repeat: The Cycle of Online Outrage

Every week, social media lights up with hashtags, threads, and campaigns against abduction, assault, and violence. Nigeria isn't alone. Last week, South Africa literally shut down. In a historic nationwide protest against gender-based violence, citizens took to the streets in major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town. Businesses closed in solidarity. Major roads were blocked. Thousands of people, from feminists to male allies to everyday South Africans who'd had enough, demanded action. Years of escalating femicide rates had pushed the country to its breaking point, and this time, silence wasn't an option.

Across Africa, countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana have held similar demonstrations: marches, vigils, online campaigns, and awareness days. Yet, the tragic truth remains: despite the visibility, abductions, harassment, and attacks continue.

It's a painful loop: click, share, hashtag, cry, repeat. The outrage is real, but the change is slow. The problem isn't awareness, it's the next step.

The Numbers Don't Lie—And They're Getting Worse

Let's talk about what we're actually facing. Because the statistics aren't just numbers, they're daughters, sisters, mothers, and friends.

And it's not just physical violence. By the first half of 2025, Nigeria had already recorded 6,800 civilian deaths due to violent attacks, a surge that reflects a 160 percent year-on-year increase in some core states.(UNICEF)

The abduction crisis is escalating. UNICEF reports that over 1,500 children were abducted in Nigeria in 2024, with the Northwest accounting for 60%. These aren't isolated incidents. They're a pattern and awareness alone isn't stopping it.

The Awareness Trap: Why Knowing Isn't Enough

Here's the uncomfortable truth: We know. Everyone knows. Gender-based violence is talked about constantly. We have hashtags. We have campaigns. We observe annual events, such as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

But knowing hasn't translated to stopping.

In 2014, #BringBackOurGirls became a global movement when 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Chibok. The world paid attention. Celebrities posted. World leaders spoke. Michelle Obama held up a sign.

Since 2014, more than 1,600 children have been abducted or kidnapped, and in 2024 alone at least 580 civilians, primarily women and girls, were kidnapped across several states.

So what's the point of awareness if it doesn't lead to action? What's the point of trending hashtags if girls are still being taken from their classrooms?

The problem isn't that people don't care. The problem is that caring has become performative. We post, we share, we change our profile pictures to purple for a day, and then we move on to the next trending topic.

But GBV doesn't take breaks between trending cycles.

Additionally, there's a systemic issue: The former Minister for Women Affairs expressed concern that in April 2021, only 11 out of 3,000 reported SGBV cases from six states were prosecuted.

Think about that. Three thousand cases. Eleven prosecutions.

The gap between awareness and justice is not just wide, it's a canyon. And that's why hashtags alone can't fix this. We need enforcement. We need accountability. We need action that extends beyond the lifespan of a trending topic.

Beyond Hashtags: What Can We Actually Do?

So we've cried online. We've shared every headline. We've changed our profile pictures to purple, posted emotional threads, and participated in vigils. And yes, that matters. But now comes the question: what more can we actually do to stop this?

Because let's be honest: clicking, sharing, and shouting into the void isn't enough. The girls are still being abducted. Women are still being attacked. Change needs action, not just outrage.

1. Support Local Rescue and Protection Initiatives

There are groups on the ground doing the actual work. Organizations like the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, FIDA Nigeria, and local NGOs are working on safe spaces for women and children. They need donations, volunteers, and visibility.

Find ways to support them financially. Volunteer your time. Amplify safety tips in your community. These organizations are often underfunded and overwhelmed, but they're the ones actually rescuing survivors, providing legal aid, and creating safe spaces.

Awareness is one thing, but laws protect lives. We need to demand that our representatives implement policies to protect women, enforce strict penalties for kidnappers and abusers, and fund shelters for survivors.

The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP Act) was passed in 2015, but in 2016, the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill was thrown out at the National Assembly on the basis that it conflicts with sharia law. In March 2022, five gender Bills were rejected.

We can't just accept this. Sign petitions. Attend town halls. Call your representatives. Make noise that can't be ignored. Because if we don't push for policy enforcement, the cycle continues.

3. Community Education &amp; Early Intervention

Communities that understand warning signs can prevent tragedies. We need to educate young people and adults about consent, respect, and safe boundaries.

A culture of silence resulting from stigmatization and stemming from religious and traditional beliefs<a href="https://www.instagram.com/afrokonnect/p/DA20y8liK7S/"> </a>enables GBV to thrive. We need to break that silence in our communities. Talk about these issues openly. Teach children bodily autonomy. Create environments where survivors feel safe to speak up.

Knowledge is power, and early action can save lives.

Men, this is on you too. Allyship goes beyond tweeting support. It means speaking up against harassment when you see it. It means teaching younger men about consent. It means refusing to normalize toxic masculinity in your circles.

Real men protect, respect, and intervene, offline, in real life. When your friend makes a sexist joke, call it out. When you witness harassment, step in safely. When your community stays silent about abuse, be the voice that breaks it.

Small, everyday actions matter. Organize community watch programs. Advocate for better street lighting in your neighborhoods. Push for safer transportation options for women and girls. Demand reliable reporting systems that don't re-traumatize survivors.

Communities must step in when governments fall short. We can't wait for perfect policies while girls are being taken from their schools.

6. Transform Social Media Outrage into Real-World Action

Post, share, tweet, but pair every viral hashtag with tangible action. Sponsor school security measures. Join or fund NGOs. Check on your neighbors. Participate in advocacy groups. Have conversations that shift cultural norms in your circle.

Don't just retweet #EndGBV. Ask yourself: What did I actually do today to end it?

The Hard Truth: This Will Take Time, But We Can't Wait

Here's the truth: No single post, protest, or hashtag will end GBV. But a thousand small, consistent actions? That can start breaking the cycle.

Ending GBV isn't glamorous. It's exhausting, sometimes frustrating, and painfully slow. But it's also urgent, necessary, and non-negotiable.

Nearly 8 million people, including 1.95 million women of reproductive age, are in urgent need of assistance in Nigeria alone. These are human beings whose lives depend on us moving beyond awareness to action.

We can click, share, and protest, but then we have to do. Every action matters, and every voice counts.

The next time you see a headline about another abduction, another assault, another tragedy, don't just share it. Ask yourself: What will I do about this today? This week? This year?

Because the girls in Kebbi, Niger, and every other community under threat don't need another trending hashtag. They need us to act. And they need it now.

Why does GBV persist after all the protests? Exposing the reality and exploring real solutions beyond hashtags.


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