Campaigns against child abuse begin in Zamfara schools

The Zamfara State Community-Based Child Protection Structures (CBCPS) has launched a statewide school sensitisation campaign.

The campaign is aimed at protecting and educating adolescent girls on child sexual abuse, exploitation and other social vices that negatively affect their academic performance, emotional well-being and social development.

The campaign commenced last week at Sarkin Kudu Government Girls’ School, Gusau.

The advocacy programme, organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs with support from UNICEF, brought together education stakeholders and child protection advocates to equip adolescent girls with the knowledge and skills to recognise abuse, protect themselves and report inappropriate behaviour.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Child Protection and Development at the Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Farida Abdulrazak Adamu, described child abuse as a serious threat to the safety, well-being and future of children in the state.

She stated that the ministry remains committed to sustaining both offline and online sensitisation campaigns to educate communities on child abuse, its consequences and the importance of protecting children.

Represented by Farida M. Lawal, the director stressed that the Zamfara State Government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual abuse, exploitation and all forms of violence against children.

According to her, the awareness campaign will not be limited to schools alone but will also be extended to public places and supported through live radio and television programmes, documentaries and other media platforms to reach more people across the state.

Also speaking, the CBCPS Desk Officer for Gusau Local Government Area, Sagir Sani Dan Dango, encouraged students to protect themselves by avoiding situations that may give perpetrators the opportunity to abuse or exploit them. He urged the students to always uphold good moral character, discipline and respect for societal norms and values.

In her remarks, the Principal of Sarkin Kudu Government Girls’ School, Gusau, Hadiza Usman Maradu, described the initiative as timely and essential in educating students on how to recognise, prevent and report cases of sexual violence, exploitation and other forms of abuse.