By Tasi’u Hassan
In Adamawa State, a total of 75,000 adolescent girls are targeted to benefit from a reproductive and adolescent health initiative annually courtesy of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The initiative tagged “European Union’s Strengthening Access to Reproductive Health (EU-SARAH) targets 2.4 million children under five every year, 279,995 pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as 175,000 indirect beneficiaries annually for the next four years.
Speaking at a panel discussion on reproductive and adolescent health organized by UNICEF, UNFPA, and the European Union in collaboration with the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, says “This €40 million, four year program, launched in December 2024, targets Adamawa, Sokoto and Kwara states with the aim of improving reproductive health services and Strengthening data-driven healthcare delivery”.
According to the Chief, the initiative focuses on fostering collaboration between girls and key stakeholders with a view to making sure that the concerns of girls take centre stage in advocacy and policymaking.
She commended the Adamawa’s investment in the healthcare services, and enjoined authorities in the state to sustain efforts given the maximum benefits of the initiative.
Dr. Rafique advised young girls to set up advocacy groups to strengthen their reach, just as she urged them to take their campaigns to the policy makers in order to ensure timely response.
On her part, a maternal and newborn health specialist from UNICEF Abuja, Dr. Victoria Isiramen, reiterated the importance of investing in adolescent girls, noting that there are approximately 60 million adolescent girls who need support to succeed as future change makers in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Sulaiman Sa’idu Bashir revealed that there are over 1,000 health facilities providing friendly adolescent health services in the state, including GBV.
According to him, empowering adolescent girls with the right education and healthcare support make them stay in schools, build careers and make positive contributions to society.
During the panel discussion which was organized as part of activities marking this year’s International Women’s Day, young girls were given a chance to ask questions and interact with experts.
