The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) have organised a workshop for key stakeholders on how to address issues of violence against children and women in Jigawa.
Malam Shuaibu Haruna, Director, NOA, Jigawa, in a statement on Saturday said that the one-day exercise was aimed at building the capacity of the stakeholders on how to address violence against children and women in the state.
According to him, the stakeholders include community leaders, religious organisations, Community-based Organisations (CBOs) and NGOs.
He said that the problems included deprivation of girl-child education and child abuse.
“The workshop is designed to build the capacity of social and behavior change communication to stakeholders on planning and implementation of strategic communication and alliance for children and women in Jigawa state.
“The 21st century has been occasioned with unprecedented challenges of gender-based violence.
“Several issues affecting children and women, ranging from violence against children and women, deprivation of girl child education, child abuse, non-registration of children’s birth, among others.
“These issues have posed serious threat to Nigeria in its bid to attaining development. This has, however, informed the decision of the NOA in collaboration with UNICEF to organise the workshop.”
According to him, the stakeholders are expected to identify key issues affecting women and children in Jigawa, what is currently being done about those issues, the key actors, as well as challenges and opportunities.
“They are also expected to develop an appropriate communication plan to ensure a sustainable approach toward addressing the identified challenges on violence against women and children.
“Also, building an alliance of people who are committed to ensuring the realisation of the rights of children and of women in Jigawa and building capacity to use social and behavior change communications skills effectively,” Haruna said.
