The Zamfara State Community-Based Child Protection Structures, CBCPS, has launched a statewide school sensitisation campaign to protect adolescent girls from sexual abuse, exploitation, and other social vices.
A statement signed yesterday by Suleiman Aliyu Gusau Information Officer Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development said the campaign commenced on Thursday at Sarkin Kudu Government Girls’ School, Gusau.
The advocacy programme was organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development with support from UNICEF. It brought together education stakeholders and child protection advocates to equip 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 in the Ministry, Farida Abdulrazak Adamu, described child abuse as a serious threat to the safety, well-being, and future of children in the state.
Represented by Farida M. Lawal, she said 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.
“The Zamfara State Government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence against children,”* she stated.
She added that the awareness campaign would not be limited to schools, but would 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.
Farida Adamu commended the Zamfara State Government, UNICEF, security agencies, the judiciary, and other stakeholders for their commitment to protecting children and taking decisive action against perpetrators.
Also speaking, the CBCPS Desk Officer for Gusau Local Government Area, Mallam Sagir Sani Dan Dango, urged the students to avoid situations that could expose them to abuse or exploitation.
He advised them to uphold good moral character, discipline, and respect for societal norms and values, dress decently, remain confident, and report any form of abuse, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour to parents, teachers, school authorities, or the CBCPS.
“Never keep silent whenever you experience or notice any form of abuse,” he told the students.
In her remarks, the Principal of Sarkin Kudu Government Girls’ School, Malama Hadiza Usman Maradu, described the initiative as timely and essential in educating students on how to recognise, prevent, and report cases of sexual violence.
“We are delighted to learn about the existence of the CBCPS in our communities. As a school, we are fully committed to supporting this movement to eliminate this menace from our society. Sexual violence has 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.
