From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
No fewer than 1,500 Out of school girls have benefited from the project “Building Community Power to End Harmful Practices (Child Marriage) in Jigawa.
This was announced by the Executive Director of Isah Wali Empowerment Initiative Hajiya Amina Hanga at the Close-Out of the project held at Ahmadu Bello Hall New Secretariat Dutse Jigawa State.
The executive director explained that, Isah Wali Empowerment Initiative (IWEI) with support from UNICEF, introduced “Building Community Power to End Harmful Practices” project in Jigawa and Katsina States with aims to reduce harmful practices on girls particularly early marriage and empower them to stand financially independent.
Hanga who said, the Initiative is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2009 under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (RC 856560) aimed to equip young women and girls with information, knowledge and skills to become financially independent, have confidence and actively contribute in their communities.
According to her, the first phase of the project (January to June,2025) reached 1,500 out-of-school girls, while the second phase, Gender Transformative Positive Parenting (GTP) Sessions (August–November 2025), engaged 1,200 parents (60% male and 40% female).
She said, the sessions promoted positive parenting practices, encouraged gender-equitable decision-making, and strengthened family support for girls’ education and empowerment.
“The project has significantly improved the well-being of 500 adolescent girls and young women (ages 15–24 years) across Dutse, Birnin Kudu, Jahun, and Kiyawa LGAs, enhancing their access to vocational training, financial inclusion, and economic opportunities. It also fostered stronger community engagement and commitment to ending harmful practices such as child marriage”, Hanga said.
While delivering her speech, the Jigawa state first Lady Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi who was represented by the wife deputy speaker Jigawa state, Hajiya Zainab Sani Isyaku commended IWEI and UNICEF for the efforts.
She said, the project improved the lives of young women and girls adding that, the state government would do all it’s best to sustain the project and Strengthen collaboration among government agencies, community leaders, and development partners in promoting girls’ education, empowerment, and protection.
