NGO sensitises 12 communities in Kaduna on girls’ right to education, health
NAN-HG-7
Sensitization
By Mohammad Tijjani
Sabon Gayan,(Kaduna State) An NGO, Development and Peace Initiative (DPI), on Thursday says it is sensitising 12 communities in three local governments of Kaduna State to allow adolescent girls attain their potentials in life.
The organisation said that the campaign was pushing forward Collective Action for Adolescent Girls Initiative, to ensure access to education, health care for adolescent girls.
It is also to prevail on parents and communities allow girls reach the right age before marriage so as not to jeopardise their future.
The DPI Programme Manager, Mr Emmanuel Tagwai, said during the sensitisation campaign held at Sabon Gayan in Chikun Local Government that communities must support adolescent girls have a better future.
Tagwai listed the 12 communities to include, Makarfi Gari, Mayere, Nasarawa Doya, Rido Gbagyi, Sabon Gayan, Rido Hausa, Kujama, Kamanta, Zonzon, Zankaw and Kamuru Ikulu.
He said the project address three key issues of education, empowerment and time of marriage for girls.
According to him, the project aims to improve the choices and opportunities available to adolescent girls to live productive and meaningful life.
“Those choices and opportunities can be enhanced through the influence of faith leaders who are trusted authorities in their communities.
” They are mostly looked up to provide scriptural guidance on all issues including affairs concerning adolescent girls.”
Tagwai said that the initiative is being implemented in partnership with Gender Awareness Trust and Christian Aid with the aim of mobilising local people to combat child labour in the country.
The Chief Imam of Sabon Gayan Central Mosque, Malam Muhammad Sani, said that they have been preaching against hawking, and were encouraging parents to allow girls acquire education.
Sani stressed that in Islam, it is a binding responsibility on parents to ensure the education of their children irrespective of gender and to offer maximum protection to them.
Also, Rev. Bawa Joshua of Assembly of God Church, Sabon Gayan, said the church had been orientating and sensitizing parents on girl child education .
Joshua said Christianity has taught its followers the value of women and how they should be respected.
NAN reports that the event featured a drama display on the side effect of early marriage and street hawking. (NAN)
TJ/MZA
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