The Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young girls and promoting their well-being through a landmark event held at Government Secondary School, Hwolshe. The occasion marked the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated under the theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Front Line of Crises.”
Over 500 schoolgirls from 20 secondary schools across Plateau State participated in the symposium, which provided a vital platform for open dialogue on issues affecting girls’ rights, education, and personal development.
A major highlight of the event was the creation of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Clubs in participating schools. These clubs are designed to educate and equip students with the knowledge and confidence to prevent and respond to SGBV, promote mutual respect, and foster a safe environment where girls can thrive.
Through regular sessions and awareness activities, the SGBV clubs will enable students to discuss challenges openly, support peers facing abuse, and report cases requiring higher intervention. The initiative represents a proactive approach toward building schools that protect and uplift every girl.
In addition to the formation of SGBV clubs, the ministry also distributed sanitary pads to all participants — a gesture aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene management and reducing absenteeism among girls caused by lack of access to hygiene products. The intervention reflects the ministry’s ongoing effort to ensure that menstrual health is treated as an essential part of girls’ education and dignity.
Speaking during the event, representatives from the ministry emphasized that empowering girls remains central to Plateau State’s development agenda. By providing education, leadership opportunities, and access to essential services, the government is investing in a generation of girls who will lead positive change across communities.
The symposium stands as a strong demonstration of the Plateau State Government’s commitment to gender equality and social development, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive.
The event concluded with a resounding message: when girls are empowered, communities grow stronger, and the future becomes brighter for all.
