The Zamfara State Community-Based Child Protection Structures (CBCPS) has launched a statewide school sensitisation campaign to educate and protect adolescent girls against child sexual abuse, exploitation, and other social vices that threaten their education, safety, and overall well-being.
The campaign commenced at Sarkin Kudu Government Girls’ School in Gusau as part of efforts by the Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, with support from UNICEF, to strengthen child protection across the state.
The advocacy programme brought together education stakeholders, child protection advocates, and students to equip adolescent girls with the knowledge and skills to identify abuse, protect themselves, and report inappropriate behaviour.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Child Protection and Development at the Ministry, Farida Abdulrazak Adamu, described child abuse as a serious threat to the safety, development, and future of children in Zamfara State.
Represented by Farida M. Lawal, she reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustaining both physical and online awareness campaigns to educate communities on child abuse, its consequences, and the importance of safeguarding children.
She stressed that the Zamfara State Government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against sexual abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence against children.
According to her, the sensitisation campaign will extend beyond schools to public places and will be amplified through radio and television programmes, documentaries, and other media platforms to reach more communities across the state.
Farida also commended the Zamfara State Government, UNICEF, security agencies, the judiciary, and other stakeholders for their continued commitment to protecting children and ensuring perpetrators of abuse are brought to justice.
Also speaking, the CBCPS Desk Officer for Gusau Local Government Area, Mallam Sagir Sani Dan Dango, advised the students to remain vigilant and avoid situations that could expose them to abuse or exploitation.
He urged them to uphold good moral values, maintain self-confidence, and promptly report any form of abuse, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour to their parents, teachers, school authorities, or the CBCPS for immediate action.
In her remarks, the Principal of Sarkin Kudu Government Girls’ School, Malama Hadiza Usman Maradu, described the initiative as timely and vital in educating students on how to recognise, prevent, and report sexual violence and exploitation.
She pledged the school’s full support for the campaign, stressing the need for collective action to end violence against girls.
“Sexual violence and exploitation have affected far too many girls, and together we must put an end to it because every girl’s pain is a woman’s pain,” she said.