Northern Pulse: EmpoweHer: EWEI trains traditional, religious leaders, KADVS female personnel on girl-child rights in Kaduna

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

An NGO, Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), under its 'EmpowerHer Project', has trained religious leaders, traditional rulers and female security personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) on protecting the rights of the girl child in Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the training, was supported by Mundo Cooperante.

At the training on Tuesday in Kaduna, Hafsat Yusuf, Programme Manager of the EmpowerHer Project, said the training focused on girls aged nine to 16 across Rafinguza in Kaduna North and KKA and KKB in Chikun Local Government.

She said the project, an 18-month initiative (September 2025-February 2027), seeks to reduce female genital mutilation and early child marriage while equipping girls with vocational skills such as sewing, hairdressing, soap making and makeup.

"The project integrates education, vocational training, legal support, technology and advocacy to create sustainable pathways for girls' empowerment",she said.

According to her, 10 girls each were selected from the three communities, making 30 beneficiaries, including both in-school and out-of-school girls.

Yusuf said out-of-school girls would be re-enrolled, while those already in school would receive support to remain through provision of basic educational materials.

She explained that female personnel of the KADVS were engaged because they operate at the grassroots and could easily access homes in conservative communities.

The female operatives, she noted, would advocate for girls’ rights, protect them and encourage survivors to speak openly to fellow women.

In her presentation, Aisha Abdu-Muhammad of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kaduna Branch, spoke on the legal rights of women, girls and children.

She described sexual and gender-based violence as a troubling pandemic that has persisted in spite efforts by multiple organisations, including FIDA.

Abdu-Muhammad attributed the prevalence to impunity, substance abuse, harmful beliefs, economic motives and family decisions to settle cases privately.

She noted that Kaduna State reviewed rape laws under former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, introducing stricter penalties including castration and death sentences, with some convictions already secured.

However, she said flaws within the justice system and societal attitudes continue to hinder effective enforcement, urging government to be more serious in addressing the crisis.

Racheal Daniel, a nurse with Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Gwamna Awan, Kakuri, highlighted girls’ rights to health, education, bodily autonomy and economic empowerment.

She said while awareness of these rights exists, implementation is often weakened by tradition, personal bias and beneficiaries of harmful practices resisting change.

Daniel cited instances where local circumcisers oppose ending female genital mutilation due to loss of livelihood, stressing that tackling the issue requires collective effort.

She called on government to enforce laws effectively and urged communities and leaders to examine their roles when cases are reported.

Muhammad Tukur, Imam of Shehu Giant Mosque, KKB, Millennium City, and a traditional leader, pledged to preach against early marriage and promote girls’ education.

He lamented the sight of young girls hawking from morning until late at night instead of attending school, urging sustained empowerment initiatives.

Insp. Blessing Sunday of KADVS, said the training reshaped her understanding of girls’ rights and the importance of balanced supervision and guidance.

She pledged to educate parents, boys and community members on ending harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and supporting both girls and boys to thrive.(NAN)