The campaign kicked off last week at Sarkin Kudu Government Girls’ School in Gusau, and it’s set to move across all 14 LGAs. The core message is simple but urgent: teach girls how to recognize abuse, how to say no, and how to speak up.
Organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development with support from UNICEF, the program brought together teachers, parents, traditional leaders, and child protection advocates under one roof. The goal is not just to talk, but to equip students with practical knowledge and life skills that can safeguard their education, mental health, and future.
Declaring the campaign open, Farida Abdulrazak Adamu, Director of Child Protection and Development at the Ministry, said child sexual abuse and exploitation remain one of the biggest threats to girls in Zamfara today.
“Any form of abuse destroys a child’s safety, well-being, and chances of succeeding in school and in life,” she said. She was represented at the event by Farida M. Lawal.
Adamu stressed that the ministry will not treat this as a one-off event. Plans are already in motion to sustain both offline and online awareness. That includes town hall meetings, community outreaches, and a media blitz across radio, TV, and documentaries so the message reaches beyond school gates and into homes and markets.
She also reaffirmed the state government’s position: “Zamfara maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence against children. There will be no cover-ups, no silence.”
At the heart of the sensitisation are the girls themselves. Facilitators took students through real-life scenarios — grooming tactics, unsafe relationships, peer pressure, and online exploitation. The students were taught how to identify red flags, set boundaries, and report incidents to trusted adults, school authorities, or child protection desks.
Sagir Sani Dan Dango, the CBCPS Desk Officer for Gusau LGA, had a direct message for the students.
“Protect yourselves by avoiding situations that give abusers an opportunity,” he told them. “But more importantly, hold on to good character, discipline, and respect for our values. If anyone touches you inappropriately or makes you uncomfortable, speak up immediately. You will be heard and you will be protected.”
He noted that CBCPS structures are now active in communities across the state, working with ward heads and religious leaders to ensure cases are reported and handled properly instead of being swept under the rug.
The Principal of Sarkin Kudu Government Girls’ School, Hadiza Usman Maradu, described the initiative as long overdue.
“This is timely and essential,” she said. “Our girls face many pressures in and out of school. If we teach them early how to recognize, prevent, and report sexual violence and exploitation, we are protecting their education and their dignity.”
She added that the school will integrate aspects of the campaign into its guidance and counseling sessions, and will work closely with parents to reinforce the lessons at home.
Officials say the campaign will not stop with students. The next phase will target motor parks, markets, and religious gatherings. UNICEF-backed media productions, including radio jingles in Hausa and documentaries, are being prepared to amplify the message in rural areas where access to information is limited.
The timing is critical. Across Nigeria, child protection agencies have flagged a rise in cases of abuse, early marriage, and exploitation that often lead to school dropouts, trauma, and poor academic performance. In Zamfara, leaders say tackling these “social vices” head-on is key to improving girls’ retention in school and overall community well-being.
The Ministry confirmed that feedback mechanisms will be set up in each school visited, so students can anonymously report cases and get support services, including counseling and referrals.
As the sensitisation train moves to other schools this month, the message from government and partners is clear: protecting girls is not just the job of parents or teachers. It’s a community responsibility.
“Every girl deserves to learn in a safe environment,” Director Adamu concluded. “And every adult has a duty to protect her.”
