The Bauchi State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has emphasised the need to protect and promote women’s rights as part of activities marking the International Women’s Day celebration.
Speaking during an event held in Bauchi on Saturday to commemorate the day, the Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, said the celebration should serve as a reminder to governments, men, women and girls on the need to support and uphold women’s rights.
Rafique noted that the day should not be celebrated by women alone, stressing that men must also play active roles in supporting women and ensuring that girls and women have access to their fundamental rights.
She explained that the commemoration also coincides with global reflections on the progress made in advancing the status of women, referencing the ongoing efforts of international commissions that monitor and update information on women’s conditions worldwide.
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According to her, despite global progress, many communities still struggle to guarantee women access to justice and basic rights.
Rafique expressed concern over the health and nutrition situation of women, noting that a significant proportion of women remain malnourished and are denied their basic rights to health care, nutrition, and reproductive services.
She added that women must also have the power to make decisions concerning their health and bodies.
The UNICEF official further highlighted the prevalence of gender-based violence, warning that the absence of strong systems to address such cases often leaves victims without justice.
She disclosed that cases recorded in some registers showed that girls as young as six months to six years old had been victims of abuse and gender-based violence.
Rafique said the development underscores the need to empower women and girls to access justice and basic rights.
She also raised concerns over early child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and repeated pregnancies, describing them as factors linked to lack of awareness and limited access to family planning, healthcare, and education.
She urged communities to spread awareness of women’s rights and support women in accessing justice and essential services.
Rafique further stressed the importance of mothers in nation building, noting that mothers give birth to and raise future leaders, including presidents, governors, and ministers.
She called on stakeholders to support women and girls in communities and wished mothers, adolescent girls, and newborn baby girls a better future in Nigeria.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, expressed concern over the high rate of home deliveries in the state.
He noted that although the government had made efforts to educate girls, many were still out of school.
According to him, a significant number of girls are married at a young age and experience teenage pregnancy, which often results in serious health complications during childbirth.
“This is the time to engage young girls, families, partners, and institutions in discussions about education, health, and the protection of girls’ rights,” Mohammed said.
He added that women often suffer the most in communities affected by communal clashes, insurgency, or displacement.
“In many cases, they are left to care for families after their husbands or fathers are killed. This is why this moment of reflection is important, to examine how we can support women who have been abandoned or widowed due to communal conflicts or insurgency,” he said.
Mohammed further noted that many women face serious mental health challenges as they struggle to cope with loss, trauma, and economic hardship.
He therefore called for stronger government action, particularly in ensuring security across communities.
“Security remains one of the biggest challenges, and unfortunately, in recent times, it has been breached in some areas.
“As part of ongoing efforts, UNICEF has encouraged stakeholders to use this period not only to celebrate women but also to discuss practical solutions,” he added.
