The Bauchi State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has marked the 2026 International Women’s Day with a strong call to action, emphasizing that women’s access to quality education and healthcare is critical to nation building.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Rilwanu Muhammad, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, stressed the need to move beyond symbolism and ensure tangible rights for women.
“The United Nations has set aside today and tomorrow every year to recognize the place of women and ensure they have the right to life, employment, and justice,” Dr. Muhammad stated.
He outlined several initiatives by the state government aimed at promoting women’s empowerment, including the approval of six months of maternity leave for pregnant mothers and the provision of flexible working hours for breastfeeding. However, Dr. Muhammad noted that the maternity leave policy is currently awaiting ratification by the State House of Assembly.
Despite these efforts, the event highlighted persistent challenges hindering women’s progress, including cultural barriers, security issues, teenage pregnancies, and early marriages. Dr. Muhammad emphasized that these issues require a unified response from all stakeholders to ensure women can access the services they deserve.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing collaboration with UNICEF would be instrumental in overcoming these hurdles and advancing women’s empowerment across the state.
In her remarks, the Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Rafique Nuzhat, asserted that women’s rights and access to justice must be a daily commitment, not merely an annual observance. She pointed to critical issues plaguing the region, such as high maternal mortality, child mortality, malnutrition, and teenage pregnancies, describing them as direct violations of women’s rights.
Dr. Nuzhat revealed that UNICEF is working with the state government to establish support mechanisms, including a sexual abuse reference center, to combat gender-based violence and ensure survivors have access to justice.
“The goal is to empower women to make decisions about their health, lives, and futures,” Dr. Nuzhat said.
