As the world mark the 2025 International Women’s day with special focus on the adolescent girl empowerment, the Adamawa State Government with support from EU, UNICEF is set to empower about 75,000 adolescent girls annually in the state.
The EU-SARAH project is aimed preparing the future mothers on how they can take control of their heath particularly the reproductive health and personal hygiene.
UNICEF Bauchi Chief of Field, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique who commended the Adamawa state government for its substantial investment in healthcare of the people of the state that there is urgent need to take the reproductive health and sanitary hygiene of the adolescent girl very seriously CoS these are the future mothers.
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, stated this at a one day panel discussion led by adolescent girls from all parts of the state in Yola today.
While thanking the state government for putting the healthcare of the people first urged the authorities to sustain their efforts, as it has a long-term benefits to the state and the adolescent girl.
The event, organised by UNICEF, UNFPA, and the European Union in collaboration with the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (APHCDA), was part of activities marking the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration.
According to Rafique, the event was part of the European Union’s Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) initiative.
“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,” she said.
She disclosed that the EU-SARAH initiative is set to impact 75,000 adolescents annually, 2.4 million children under five every year, 279,995 pregnant and lactating mothers, and 175,000 indirect beneficiaries annually for the next four years.
She added that the programmes focus on fostering collaboration between adolescent girls and key stakeholders to ensure that young girls’ concerns, such as reproductive health, early marriage, and nutrition, are central in advocacy and policymaking efforts.
She therefore , call on youths in Adamawa particularly the adolescent girl to leverage on digital platforms and existing healthcare infrastructure to advance their advocacy efforts and directly engage policymakers.
Dr. Bashir Sulaiman, Executive Chairman of APHCDA, disclosed that Adamawa State boasts over 1,070 primary healthcare facilities offering adolescent-friendly services.
ALSO READ PHOTOS: Gov Umo Eno flags off Oron marine jetty reconstruction
“These centers cater for young girls, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence,”
While emphasizing on the importance of mental health education for adolescent girls, he said it will help in equipping them with reproductive health knowledge, empower them to educate their peers and contribute to better self-care and family well-being.
Dr. Victoria Isiramen, a Mental and Newborn Health Specialist at UNICEF Abuja, described investing in adolescent girls as critical to achieving demographic dividends. She highlighted that Nigeria has approximately 60 million adolescent girls who require support to realise their potential as future change-makers.
Stakeholders and experts at the event called on parents to provide accurate and essential reproductive health information to adolescents. They also urged state authorities to prioritize adolescent health and ensure sustained government support for youth-friendly healthcare services.
With the EU-SARAH initiative strengthening already established government systems, the focus remains on reducing health challenges through information, education, and empowerment.
ALSO READ THIS TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then