GBV: AGILE organises workshop for stakeholders in Zamfara schools

The Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in Zamfara state, has organised a stakeholders workshop on reviewing and updating school-related Gender Base Violence (GBV) for teaching and non-teaching staff..

Declaring the two-day workshop open on Saturday at Karma Hotel in Gusau, the Coordinator AGILE project in the state, Hajiya Saadatu Abdu Gusau disclosed that the AGILE project is carefully designed to address the barriers that hinder girls’ access, retention, and completion of secondary education.

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The state AGILE project coordinator represented by deputy Coordinator Dr Salisu Dalhatu further said AGILE clear mandate is to ensure that girls enrol, remain in school, and complete their education, and expand empowerment opportunities for adolescent girls and young women.

According to him, the objective of the meeting is to bring together key stakeholders and technical experts to review and update the School-Related GBV Code of Conduct (COC)to ensure it is practical, enforceable, and tailored to the specific challenges of Zamfara State

“It’s also to develop a state-specific COC that establishes clear, actionable safeguarding measures for teachers, support staff, students, and host communities, fostering a safe, accessible, and inclusive learning environment,” he said.

He further revealed that the objective is to set professional and ethical standards that promote integrity, accountability, and an enabling environment for quality education, saying “enhance professional competence and ensure adherence to safeguarding principles through well-defined guidelines.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Zamfara state commissioner of education, science and technology, Mallam Wadatau Madawaki said education remains the most powerful tool for individual and societal transformation, but its impact diminished when students, particularly girls, face barriers such as School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV).

“The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, in collaboration with the AGILE project and other partners, is implementing strategic interventions to improve school infrastructure, provide adequate learning materials, and strengthen policies that promote safety in schools,” he said.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner of Women Affairs represented by Dr Habibu Yalwa, Commissioner of Justice represented by a Director, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Religious Affairs representatives and ANCOPS state chairman Mallam Hamisu Aliyu acknowledged the AGILE Project, saying it’s a pathway to improving educational standard in the state.

Those at the meeting include the Emir of Gusau represented by the district head of Tudun Wada, relevant security agencies, media, CSO and stakeholders in the state.