From: Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Jigawa Girl Researchers have called on the general public to prioritise issues affecting girls and provide them with the necessary support to achieve their aspirations in life.
The call was made during the launch of a Girl-Led Research project titled Shifting the Power: Advancing Girls-Led Research, conducted in Nigeria and Sierra Leone by Baba Azimi Foundation and Teenage Network.
The project, supported by ActionAid Nigeria and the UK, aims to amplify girls’ voices in decision-making processes.
Barrister Aisha Sulaiman Jahun, founder of the Baba Azimi Foundation (BAF), explained that the research sought to understand the key challenges girls face and how they can be addressed.
She noted that 12 girls were selected and trained as researchers in Jigawa.
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These young researchers developed the study’s research questions, identified key issues, mapped stakeholders, and determined the respondent categories and locations for the research in Dutse and Gwaram Local Government Areas.
“The girls presented key findings, which focused on critical issues such as lack of access to education, limited development opportunities and resources, inadequate menstrual health programmes, restrictions on girls’ free time due to heavy domestic workloads, child marriage, mental health challenges, and gender-based violence, including rape and harassment,” Jahun stated.
She added that the findings highlighted deep-rooted societal norms and practices that reinforce gender inequality, undermine girls’ choices, and diminish their power in all aspects of life.
Barrister Aisha urged parents, policymakers, and other stakeholders to take decisive steps in prioritising issues affecting girls and ensuring they receive the necessary support to fulfil their potential.
