Gatefield said AI-enabled abuse constitutes structurally violent digital harm that systematically targets women while exploiting both human and technological vulnerabilities. Research cited by the organisation on Nigerian women affected by non-consensual image sharing showed that nearly 90 percent experienced depression or suicidal thoughts. Of 27 women studied, 11 considered suicide and one attempted it.
The report highlighted recent cases involving public figures to demonstrate the scale of the threat. It noted that in 2025, AI-generated nude images of Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr circulated widely across social media platforms, with
delayed responses by the platforms.
It further cited that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central was targeted with deepfake audio and video recordings following sexual harassment allegations, while Nollywood actress Kehinde Bankole faced coordinated AI-generated harassment campaigns that digitally altered her images.
“Platforms like X and Grok facilitated abuse through frictionless content generation, delayed moderation and opaque policies,” Farida Adamu, Gatefield’s insights and analytics lead said. She explained that the problem reflects unsafe product design rather than isolated bad actors.
Gatefield said Nigeria currently lacks AI-specific legislation, forensic capacity and platform accountability frameworks, warning that the gap leaves women increasingly vulnerable as other jurisdictions adopt stronger regulations.
The organisation referenced measures in the European Union, France, the United States and the United Kingdom that address non-consensual AI-generated sexual content and platform responsibility.
“Without immediate legal frameworks, Nigeria risks the structural exclusion of women from politics, media and culture,” Shirley Ewang, Gatefield’s advocacy lead said.
She warned that generative AI is scaling abuse faster than existing laws and platform policies can respond, calling for urgent, enforceable frameworks to prevent the silencing of millions of women online.
