By Murtala Muhammad
Four hundred adolescent girls in Bauchi State have received menstrual pads, and sensitisation on gender-based violence prevention, life skills, and sexual and reproductive health education.
The beneficiaries were drawn from twenty government schools, twenty private schools, and twenty persons with disabilities from special needs schools in Bauchi during an event at Government House in commemoration of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.
The celebration, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead,” was organised by the Bauchi State Ministry of Education through the Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA).
First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajiya A’isha Bala Mohammed, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and urged girls to maintain proper personal hygiene during their menstrual periods.
In her message, the UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Muriel Mafiko, stressed the need to provide girls with life skills and comprehensive, age-appropriate education to support their transition to adulthood.
Ms Mafiko, represented by the Bauchi State Programme Officer, Ms Deborah Tabara, highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces for girls, particularly during crises, where they can learn and seek guidance.
Also speaking, Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Dr Lawal Mohammed, reaffirmed the government’s resolve to empower girls by promoting inclusive education, ending child marriage, and ensuring their safety.
He said the state remains committed to sustaining partnerships with relevant agencies and organisations to enhance girl-child education, protect their rights, and support their active participation in societal development.
The event featured goodwill messages from stakeholders and Poem presentation by a Spoken Words Artist, A’isha Isa Rufa’u.
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