Wife of Bauchi State Governor, Aisha Bala Mohammed, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have called for urgent support for the Nigerian girl child.
   
The appeal was made at the commemoration of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.
   
The UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, Muriel Mafiko, while speaking in Bauchi over the weekend, stated that it is essential for every girl in a crisis, regardless of its severity, to access safe spaces where she feels empowered and confident, where she can seek advice and continue learning. 
 
Represented by Deborah Tabara, Mafiko added that every girl has the right to embrace who she is, and choose who she wants to become.
   
Also, the First Lady urged  traditional and religious leaders to guide the communities and continue to stand for the protection and empowerment of  girls.

Group asks FG to create safe space for girl-child in violent communities. 

Equally, the Federal Government has been urged to prioritise safe spaces for girls living in conflict-affected and crisis-prone communities.
   
The call was made by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO),  Gender Educators Initiative (GEI), as part of activities to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child. 
   
Its Executive Director, Shafa’atu Suleiman, emphasised that insecurity, displacement, and poverty have exposed young girls to violence, abuse, and early marriage.
   
She stressed the need for government, development partners, and community leaders to act urgently to protect and empower these girls.
   
Suleiman highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces within internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and vulnerable communities to provide psychosocial support, education continuity, and mentorship for affected girls.
   
She also urged relevant ministries to collaborate with local civil society organisations to design gender-sensitive interventions.
 
The ED reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to advancing gender equality and promoting access to education and leadership opportunities for girls in Nigeria. 
   
She emphasised that investing in girls is investing in peace and progress.