United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has supported the enrollment of one million girl-child in schools under the GIrls Education Project (GEP) in the last eight years.
Chief of Field Office of UNICEF Nigeria, Bauchi Field office, Mr Bhanu Pathak, made the disclosure at the National Development workshop on “Gender Right to Education, Advocacy and Mentoring Skills for High Level Women Advocates (HILWA)” held at Banquet Hall Government House Bauchi on Monday.
He further disclosed that 1,417 female teachers had been supported through the Teacher Training Scholarship Scheme.
“Over the years, UNICEF has supported the development of women and children through teacher training, including Training of 1,417 female teachers though Trainee Scholarship Schme. UNICEF is also supporting school enrollment drive, empowering communities and assisting in the establishment of the Girls for Girks (G4G) and HILWA groups in various states.
“These interventions will record more results when implemented in partnership with and the support of the government. Therefore, I encourage the states to continue and more than ever before, intensify efforts to support HILWA activities and girls education,” Pathak said.
Pathak said that UNICEF supported girls education and always happy to support efforts of women dedicated to empowering and inspiring young girls and women to achieve their full potentials especially through education.
He said, “I wish to conclude with a quote from former First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama, to highlight the point that women must continue to work together to help themselves. ‘Women are the beacon of change in our society and as women, we must stand up for justice for all’.
Also, the First Lady of Bauchi State, Hajia Hadiza Abubakar, said that HILWA had been working round the clock to ensure enrollment of girl-child in school as well as make them remain in school and transit form one level to another.
She enjoined men to always support girl-child education, saying, by so doing women will be actively participate in decision-making process.
