Girl-lead action calls on women affairs commissioner in Jigawa to support girls
By Ali Rabiu Ali Jigawa
The Girl-Lead Action group, under the Baba Azimi Foundation with support from ActionAid Nigeria, has presented various issues affecting teenage girls to the Jigawa State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hadiza T. Abdul Wahab. The issues include gender-based violence and discrimination, education, and economic empowerment.
The presentation took place during an advocacy visit to the commissioner at an event organized by the Ministry held at Sir Ahmadu Bello Hall, New Secretariat, Dutse, on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The group advocated for girls' rights to education, expression, and support, aiming to enlighten stakeholders on the importance of support to young girls achieve their dreams.
The girls advocated for these while highlighting major issues that they found as a result of the research they conducted last year in Dutse. Major issues included lack of education of girls, lack of access to resources, lack of access to clean Menstrual hygiene products, lack of access to digital tools such as android phones etc.
A key ask if the girls was the establishment of a Girls Resource Center by the Ministry; the first of its kind in the state which is to serve as a pilot where girls will be taught tools such as community maps, activity charts, human box, friendship circle, intergenerational relationship circle, power tools, body map etc. which will help girls understand their issues and empower them to have their power and voices back.
Other requests included support to 1000 girls with Girls Divinity kits which comprise of pads, pants, soap, detergent and menstrual pain relievers. The girls also advocated for distribution of 1000 android phones to girls, inclusion of girls within current women empowerment programmed and budget appropriations of these items in the 2026 budget of the Ministry.
The Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Hadiza T. Abdul Wahab, expressed admiration for the girls' initiative and promised to support their move.
She advised parents to allow their children to return to school, especially those who dropped out, and assured that she would look into the girls' demands and provide solutions. The commissioner's response aligns with the state's governor's 12-point agenda.
The Girl led research and action, is an all girls platform dedicated to promoting research into girls problems by girls and empowering girls to take charge of their lives. The project be began in 2024 and its objectives include: Promoting girls' education and leadership, addressing gender-based violence and discrimination, creating a safe and supportive environment for girls, fostering economic empowerment, equipping girls with skills and knowledge for viable economic future, and amplifying girls' voices.
By supporting the Girl-led action, Baba Azimi Foundation and ActionAid Nigeria aim to create a brighter future for girls and women in Nigeria.