CITAD, Male Feminists Network Celebrate Int’l Day of the Girl Child in Kano
By Mustapha Salisu
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), in collaboration with the Male Feminists Network, on Saturday joined the global community to mark the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, reaffirming commitment to promoting girls’ education, empowerment, and leadership in society.
The event, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,”was held at the Bjorn Beckman Hall, CITAD Office in Kano.
It brought together students, educators, gender advocates, and development partners to discuss the critical role girls play in driving social transformation even amid crises.
Speaking during the event, Program Officer of the Male Feminist Network Project, Sani Saidu Muhammad, said the initiative, carried out in partnership with support from the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, was aimed at raising awareness and educating young girls about gender-based violence (GBV) and how to stay safe.
He emphasized that the program forms part of efforts to eradicate GBV and foster safer spaces for women and girls.
Muhammad warned that the effects of GBV are far-reaching, ranging from physical and mental health issues to loss of life, stressing that women are the backbone of society and deserve stronger protection.
He called on government to strengthen the implementation of existing laws and overhaul the judicial system to ensure justice for victims of gender-based violence.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the event, one of the participating students, Zainab Ibrahim Sarki from from GGSS Hassana Sufi Model, emphasized the need for society to give girls equal opportunities to learn, lead, and innovate, stressing that the empowerment of girls directly translates to the progress of communities.
Speakers at the event highlighted the challenges faced by girls in crisis-affected areas, including limited access to education and gender-based violence, calling for collaborative action from government and civil society organizations to address these issues.
Highlights of the event includes speech presentations revolving around this year’s theme as well as award presentation to participating schools.
The commemoration concluded with a call to action urging parents, policymakers, and community leaders to ensure that every girl child is educated, protected, and empowered to fulfill her potential.
