A Non-Governmental Organization, Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), has launched the ‘Empower Her Project’ in Kaduna North and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
The initiative targets three communities and focuses on training 30 carefully selected adolescent girls in education and skill acquisition to promote self-reliance.
Speaking at the kickoff event, the Program Manager of EWEI, Ms. Hafsat Yusuf, said girls aged between nine and sixteen were selected for the programme.
She explained that the project would enroll the girls in school and cover their educational needs over an eighteen-month period.
According to her, the initiative will also sensitize communities on the dangers of female genital mutilation, while encouraging the reintegration of out-of-school children and retention of those already enrolled.
A Consultant Psychiatrist with a Federal Hospital in Kaduna, Dr. Hadiza Salisu MaiAdua, described the programme as timely, noting that it will help address gender-based violence and female genital mutilation
She warned that these issues often lead to mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety, with long-term complications.
Dr. MaiAdua cited statistics showing that about 50 percent of mental health conditions in adults originate during youth, while 75 percent begin before the age of 24, stressing the need for early preventive interventions.
A representative of the Village Head of Rafin Guza, Abdulrahman Karaduwa, commended the initiative, saying it would positively shape the future of the girl child in the community.
He added that the project would help reduce street hawking and protect the rights of young girls.
The project is supported by key stakeholders, including the Ministries of Education, Women Affairs and Social Development, and Health, as well as the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital among others.
Cov/Fatima Aliyu
