Jigawa Youth Mobilized to Fight Drug Abuse, Early Marriage, GBV

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

Dozens of young people, both men and women, have been empowered to join the fight against drug abuse, early marriage, gender-based violence (GBV), and other harmful cultural practices in their communities.

The initiative, led by the Isa Wali Empowerment and Initiative Foundation with support from UNICEF, mobilized and trained the youth over the past six months.

Speaking at a strategic review meeting for the project’s final exit, project monitoring officer Khadija Lawan stated that the program aimed to raise public awareness and encourage everyone to join hands in combating the menace of drug abuse, harmful cultural practices, and other social vices in the community.

Lawan explained that the program also provided the youth with skills and support to advocate for girls’ education, discourage unnecessary spending during ceremonies, and challenge harmful cultural practices.

“The program was piloted in six communities across three local government areas: Dutse, Birnin-Kudu, and Kiyawa. We trained 30 males and 30 females, and through media campaigns and other outreach efforts, we reached approximately 1.4 million people,” she said.

“We supported the establishment of community cooperatives, encouraged community members to voice their concerns to authorities, and promoted collaboration in tackling individual and community problems. We are confident that the communities will continue the work even after our exit,” Lawan added.

Several participants shared their experiences and the impact of the program. Safiyya Muhammad Kudai testified that she learned how to approach young people and elders with positive advice and discourage harmful cultural practices. “It is truly making a difference now,” she declared.

Rabiu Ali, a 23-year-old participant, said that the training has empowered him to advise his peers against drug abuse and other social vices.

Shamsu Umar from Shuwarin Community in Kiyawa Local Government expressed gratitude for the program’s capacity-building workshops on peaceful conflict resolution and vowed to continue promoting good practices and discouraging harmful ones.

Nafisa Abubakar from the same community shared that before the Isa Wali intervention, she wasn’t aware of the role women could play in fighting drug abuse, early marriage, and GBV. “But now, we are empowered to be champions of this struggle,” she declared, thanking the foundation and community elders for their support.

The community vanguards trained by the Isa Wali Initiative have pledged to continue advocating and raising awareness in their communities even after the foundation’s direct involvement, aiming for peace, stability, and progress.