An online entertainment platform, TikTok, said it prioritised online safety through partnerships on tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), particularly for women in the media industry.

TikTok Outreach and Partnerships Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok, Duduzile Mkhize, spoke on the sidelines of a roundtable in partnership with the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) on Wednesday in Abuja.

TikTok is convening a series of Women in Media Safety Roundtables across Sub-Saharan Africa to deepen collective understanding and drive as part of its commitment to safety and inclusivity.

Ms Mkhize said that as the digital landscape evolves, women and vulnerable communities continue to face unique online threats that could limit their expression and participation.

She said that the Women in Media Safety Roundtables represented a tangible step in TikTok’s broader mission to foster a safer, more inclusive environment in Sub-Saharan Africa.

She explained that the roundtables were meant to listen to people with lived experiences, learning from local communities and building solutions together.

She said through open dialogue, shared insights, and actionable solutions, TikTok was reaffirming its commitment to building a platform that uplifts and protects its diverse communities.

She added, “TikTok is committed to learning from those on the frontlines, including local journalists and media practitioners, in order to evolve its safety tools, policies, and enforcement strategies. We believe that to truly understand our local community, we must first understand their world. We recognise the diversity of our global community and the importance of understanding what helps them to feel safe. As we learn more, we do more. We value the participation of the Nigerian media industry in helping us create a safe and creative platform, not just for content creators but for all users.’’

The Executive Director of the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC), Kim Thipe, said addressing TFGBV required deep listening, data-driven insights and collaboration across sectors.

“Through these workshops, we’re bringing together the lived experiences of women in the media with research-backed strategies to co-create safer digital environments. We are pleased to partner with TikTok in this important initiative that places community voices and local context at the centre of online safety,” Ms Thipe said.

Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement, North Central Region, Abiodun Essiet, said tackling TFGBV required a united front.

Ms Essiet said that TikTok’s commitment to working alongside government, civil society and industry stakeholders to build safer digital spaces was welcomed.

She said, “We commend TikTok’s proactive engagement with professionals in the media space as well as creators through these safety roundtables. Empowering women to participate fully and safely in media is not just a digital issue; it is a democratic imperative.’’

The roundtables bring together journalists, digital safety experts, civil society, regulators, and content creators to foster a multi-stakeholder approach that supports women’s voices in media while building safer online communities.

 (NAN)