The Zamfara State Community-Based Child Protection Structures (CBCPS), has launched a statewide school sensitisation campaign, 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 on Friday at Sarkin Kudu Government Girls’ School, Gusau.

The advocacy programme, organised by the Ministry of Women, children and Social Development Affairs with the support of 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, Zamfara State Ministry of Women and Social Development Affairs, 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.

The Director, who was represented by Farida M. Lawal, 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.

Farida Adamu also commended the Zamfara State Government, the Ministry of Women, children and Social Development Affairs, UNICEF, security agencies, the judiciary, and other stakeholders for their unwavering commitment to protecting children and taking decisive action against perpetrators of child abuse.

Also speaking, the CBCPS Desk Officer for Gusau Local Government Area, Mallam Sagir Sani Dan Dango, encouraged the 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.

Sani Dan Dango further advised them to dress decently, remain confident, and never keep silent whenever they experience or notice any form of abuse, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour.

He encouraged them to immediately report such incidents to their parents, teachers, school authorities, or the CBCPS for appropriate action.

In her remarks, the Principal of Sarkin Kudu Government Girls School, Gusau, Malama Hadiza Usman Maradun, 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.

“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 and exploitation have affected far too many girls, and together we must put an end to it because every girl’s pain is a Women pain”