UNFPA commended for supporting Bauchi in the fight against Gender-Based Violence
By Uzairu Dauda Bunga:
The United Nations Population Fund UNFPA has been commended for its support to the Bauchi State Government in promoting gender equality and combating gender-based violence GBV.
The Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad Rufai, gave the commendation during a two-day workshop for journalists on reporting UNFPA activities, organised by Journalists for Public Health Development and Initiative J4PD, held at the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria MHWUN Secretariat in Bauchi.
Ahmad Rufai urged media practitioners to uphold professionalism and accuracy in reporting issues relating to family planning, maternal health, gender-based violence and demographic change.
He stressed the importance of responsible journalism in raising public awareness and promoting policies and interventions that improve the well-being of women, girls and vulnerable groups.
In his remarks, the UNFPA Kaduna State Coordinator, Mr Audu Alayande, reminded journalists of their critical role in promoting gender inclusion in government policies and programmes to build a more equitable society.
Audu Alayande expressed concern over Nigeria’s high maternal mortality burden, noting that many women continue to lose their lives during childbirth.
He called on members of the public to embrace voluntary family planning and condemned forced marriage and child marriage, describing such practices as forms of gender-based violence that undermine the rights and well-being of women and girls.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of J4PD, Elizabeth Kah, said the organisation was committed to empowering communities to identify their challenges and develop practical solutions using available resources and local capacities.
Elizabeth Kah explained that J4PD had evolved over the years into a reputable development organisation implementing projects and providing technical support in health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene WASH, gender equality, climate resilience, governance, media development and livelihood enhancement.
In a presentation, the UNFPA Gender and Reproductive Health Specialist in Abuja, Musa Elisha, noted that Nigeria accounted for a significant proportion of the global maternal mortality burden, underscoring the urgent need for improved access to quality maternal healthcare and reproductive health services.
Musa Elisha urged journalists to hold relevant stakeholders accountable for creating an enabling environment in which girls could access education while women could enjoy their reproductive health rights.
He emphasised that sustained media engagement was essential to challenging harmful social practices, promoting gender equality and ensuring that government policies and programmes addressed the needs of women and girls.
