The Kaduna state government in conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have jointly called on stakeholders in Nigeria to redouble their efforts at ensuring that women and girls rights to sexual and reproductive health were met and their vulnerability to violence addressed.
This was the submission of both parties alongside other emergency agencies including NEMA, SEMA, NPC, Red Cross, NYSC, at the commemoration of the 2015 World Population day in Kaduna.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies’, the newly appointed Commissioner, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Muhammed Sani Abdullahi, reminded the gathering that the day was been celebrated to sensitize, advocate and take into account the social and economic needs, considered to be pre-requisites to sustainable development over a long term period.
According to the Commissioner, the administration of the state Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, was determined to foster the security of lives and property in the state, saying the government was targeting the roots and symptoms of intolerance and communal violence and taking committed action to address poverty and unemployment.
He said, “Investment in education, healthcare and social welfare are indeed our responsibility as government and stakeholders to increasingly and consciously see to the need of providing resources and opportunities for vulnerable groups including women, children and youth, to reach their full potential, enabling them to exercise their human rights.
“Government of Kaduna state is calling on all stakeholders in the state to redouble efforts to protect the health and rights of women and girls.
“Women, adolescent girls and youth people must play their full role in peace talks, peace building and recovery. We must also ensure that our government comply with laws and bring perpetrators of sexual violence to justice,” he stressed.
He however thanked UNFPA for what he referred to as its overwhelming support and collaboration with the state towards ensuring that issues that affect women and children are properly looked into and result oriented 2009 till date.
In her goodwill message, the representative of UNFPA, Fatima Mamman-Daura, said one of UNFPA’s priorities was to empower and safeguard the well-being of women and adolescent girls, as well as young people in order to address their specific needs and concern.
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