OXFAM in Nigeria has celebrated this Year’s International Women’s Day with the distribution of female hygiene kits to girls students of some selected schools in Bauchi state.
Speaking at the occasion held at the Government Junior Secondary School in Udubo District of Gamawa Local Government Area, the Gender and Nutrition Focal Person, OXFAM Bauchi state office, Mrs Zulai Abdulmalik said the distribution of the kits is to encourage the female students to be going to school even during their monthly period.
Mrs Zulai Abdulmalik said currently OXFAM is focusing on girl child education as investing in their education is an investment for the future.
She said to achieve this, the organization is working in synergy with the Bauchi State Ministry of Education and that of Women Affairs with a view to ensure the protection of girls in schools.
The Gender and Nutrition Focal Person explained that the theme for this Year’s celebration “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights’’ was meant to reinforce the messaging around challenging gender stereotypes, fighting biases, broadening perceptions, and improving women’s participation at all levels of the economy.
Mrs Zulai Abdulmalik said in line with the commemoration of this year’s celebration, the OXFAM LINE project had targeted teenage girls in a representative school to mark this year’s event in order to sensitize them on Menstrual Hygiene Management and their rights as students.
She noted that OXFAM in Nigeria is currently implementing the Livelihoods and Nutritional Empowerment (LINE) project in Bauchi State, funded by Global Affairs Canada with the aim of promoting agriculture-driven economic growth and improve living conditions for 10,000 rural farmer households (60% women) with a specific focus on women and youth as it was being implemented in six Local Government Areas of Gamawa, Shira, Darazo, Ningi, Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa.
Mrs Zulai Abdulmalik said as a market-based agricultural initiative, the project is focusing on maize, sorghum and livestock in addition to enhancing access to markets through collaboration with relevant stakeholders and key private sector actors.
In her key note address, the State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development, Hajara Jibrin Gidado, represented by Mrs Esther Patrick, while applauding OXFAM for the initiative, said if educated and empowered, women would contribute positively to societal development.
