FIC REPORT (KADUNA STATE) – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Kaduna State Government have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the rights of the girl child, ending child marriage, combating gender-based violence, and promoting sustainable interventions that empower women and adolescent girls.
This commitment was reinforced during a meeting between a delegation of UNFPA, led by Dr. Audu Alayande, and the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Kaduna State.
The delegation, comprising members of the UNFPA team from Abuja, visited the Commissioner to discuss forthcoming programmes and activities aimed at advancing the rights, protection, and empowerment of the girl child.
During the engagement, the UNFPA delegation briefed the Honourable Commissioner on planned activities to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, and the proposed Polo Match Tournament for Humanity.
The meeting provided an important platform for strengthening collaboration between UNFPA and the Kaduna State Government towards advancing gender equality, protecting girls from harmful practices, and promoting sustainable interventions that improve the welfare of women, adolescent girls, and other vulnerable groups.
A major highlight of the engagement was the signing of a Compact of Commitment to advance girls’ rights, empowerment, and gender equity through sports, under the theme: “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
The compact underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in addressing child marriage, safeguarding the rights of girls, and creating opportunities for their meaningful participation in social, economic, and community development.
It also reinforces the need for sustained advocacy, public awareness, and collective action to eliminate harmful practices that undermine the health, education, safety, and future prospects of the girl child.
The proposed Polo Match Tournament for Humanity is expected to use the influence and popularity of sports as a platform for raising awareness, mobilising resources, and promoting advocacy in support of programmes designed to protect and empower girls.
Through this initiative, stakeholders seek to draw greater public attention to the challenges facing adolescent girls, particularly child marriage and gender-based violence, while encouraging individuals, organisations, and development partners to invest in initiatives that advance girls’ rights and opportunities.
The initiative further highlights the potential of sports to bring communities and stakeholders together in support of social causes and sustainable development.
The engagement also emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation between government institutions and development partners in implementing policies and programmes that promote gender equality, prevent gender-based violence, and safeguard the rights and dignity of women and girls.
The partnership between UNFPA and the Kaduna State Government reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every girl has access to protection, education, opportunities, and the support necessary to realise her full potential.
Both parties recognise that investing in girls’ rights is essential to building stronger families, healthier communities, and a more inclusive and prosperous society.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen advocacy efforts, encourage greater stakeholder participation, and support sustainable interventions that address the needs of adolescent girls and other vulnerable populations across Kaduna State.
Through this engagement and the signing of the compact, UNFPA and the Kaduna State Government have reaffirmed the importance of collective responsibility in ending child marriage, preventing gender-based violence, and promoting the empowerment of the girl child.
The partnership sends a strong message that protecting girls’ rights requires deliberate investment, effective collaboration, and sustained commitment from government, development partners, civil society organisations, communities, and other stakeholders.
Ultimately, the shared vision is to build a society where every girl is protected from violence and harmful practices, enjoys equal opportunities, and is empowered to contribute meaningfully to community development and the sustainable development of Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.
Signed:
Muhammad Gwani
AD FIRC KADUNA
21st October,2026.
