By Uzairu Dauda Bunga:
The Bauchi State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, commemorated International Women’s Day with a renewed call to promote rights, justice, and concrete action for women and girls across the state.
The event, held at Hazibal Suites, brought together government officials, development partners, and stakeholders to highlight the importance of protecting and empowering women.
Speaking at the gathering, the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, described women as vital pillars of development, stressing that nations thrive when women are well educated, protected, and empowered.
Dr. Rafique reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at combating sexual abuse against women and children by strengthening access to justice and promoting women’s rights.
She noted that Nigeria remains a significant contributor to global child and maternal mortality, attributing the challenge to factors such as teenage pregnancy, inadequate prenatal care, home deliveries, and other harmful practices.
According to her, healthy and well-supported mothers play a key role in building strong nations by raising healthy and capable future leaders.
She therefore called on governments at all levels to prioritize policies and programmes that protect mothers and adolescent girls.
Dr. Rafique emphasized that women have the right to quality education, mental health support, leadership opportunities, and freedom from all forms of violence.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Muhammad, urged stakeholders to ensure that girls are enrolled in school to secure their future.
He stated that the Bauchi State Government is working diligently to eliminate gender-based violence in the state, adding that women play a critical role in shaping society by instilling good morals and values in children.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Bauchi State Sustainable Development Goals Office, Mrs. Lydia John Shehu, congratulated women in Bauchi for marking the global celebration and stressed that women’s welfare must be reflected in government budgets.
She explained that meaningful national development cannot be achieved without the contributions of women and urged women to understand their rights and always seek justice when those rights are violated.
Mrs. Shehu also encouraged husbands and families to support women in making informed decisions about menstrual hygiene and reproductive health.
Highlighting the Global Affairs Canada-funded programme in Bauchi, the UNICEF Health Officer, Dr. Olusoyi Olusunde, raised concern about the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the state, noting that one in four adolescent girls becomes pregnant.
He explained that the initiative focuses on strengthening health institutions and community systems to deliver high-quality, gender-responsive sexual and reproductive health services and improved nutrition for women and adolescent girls.
Dr. Olusunde added that the project has supported the upgrade of 323 Primary Health Care centres, assisted 173 facilities in promoting gender equality, and established 646 Mama-to-Mama support groups alongside 166 Fathers for Good Health groups to mobilize communities and reduce child mortality in Bauchi State.
Stakeholders at the event reiterated the need for sustained collaboration to ensure that women and girls in Bauchi State enjoy equal opportunities, protection, and access to essential services.
Discover more from BRC Radio Bauchi
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
