The Zamfara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the welfare, protection and development of children through improved access to quality education and other interventions aimed at ensuring their safety and well-being.

The Overseeing Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Development Affairs,Nasiru Galadima Kaura, stated this during a two-day review of the Action Plan on Violence Against Children, held at karma Guest Inn, Gusau, and organised by the Ministry with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Represented by the Director of Women Affairs, Hajara Sani Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary said the State Government had continued to demonstrate sustained commitment to strengthening child protection and well-being through increased investment in education and the implementation of frameworks aimed at protecting children from violence, abuse and exploitation.

“Every child who is protected from violence, given access to quality education, provided with adequate healthcare and nurtured in a safe family environment is at the heart of what Zamfara State Government is focusing on,” he added.

Galadima Kaura reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to working closely with development partners and donor organisations, both locally and internationally, towards creating a safe and protective environment for children across Zamfara State.

He commended UNICEF for its continued support and collaboration with the Zamfara State Government, particularly its efforts in supporting initiatives aligned with the administration’s commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous State.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that child protection remained a key priority of the administration, noting that sustained collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, security agencies and communities was essential to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children.

Also speaking, the Director of Child Protection and Development, Farida Abdulrazak Adamu, said protecting children and investing in their development was an investment in the future workforce, leadership, innovation, peace and stability of Zamfara State.

She urged participants at the engagement to work diligently and collectively towards developing a comprehensive and practical Action Plan on Violence Against Children that would strengthen child protection mechanisms and promote the developmental well-being of children across the State.

The Director stressed that effective implementation of the action plan would require the commitment and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders to ensure that children in Zamfara grow up in safe, supportive and protective environments.

The two-day engagement brought together representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to review the existing action plan and identify strategies for strengthening efforts to prevent and respond to violence against children.