The Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development has commenced a training programme for 40 students drawn from 20 schools to raise awareness on the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV).
The initiative was disclosed in Bauchi on Wednesday during a one-day engagement session by the ministry’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Ahmed Aliyu.
He said the programme was designed to reduce the incidence of GBV by equipping young people with knowledge on how to identify, prevent, and respond to abuse.
Aliyu added that the participating students would be encouraged to establish GBV awareness clubs in their respective schools to sustain sensitisation efforts.
According to him, the project is being implemented as a pilot scheme in collaboration with IPAS-Nigeria, the state High Court, and the IKRA Foundation for Women and Youth Development.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would be expanded to other parts of the state if successful.
Aliyu further explained that the training would be delivered in multiple sessions to strengthen students’ understanding of GBV prevention and response mechanisms.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the IKRA Foundation for Women and Youth Development, Mrs Amina Garuba, emphasised the importance of creating safe environments for young people’s emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Represented by Miss Rukayya Othman, she said safe spaces play a key role in helping students recover from physical and emotional trauma associated with abuse.
She described a safe space as any environment where individuals can express themselves freely without fear of stigma, discrimination, or ridicule, whether at home, in school, or within the community.
Garuba noted that survivors of violence often struggle with loss of confidence and security, stressing the need for supportive structures in both schools and society.
She assured that the foundation would continue its outreach efforts across the state, including communities such as Toro, Alkaleri, and Bununu, to promote awareness on health rights and protection against abuse.