From:Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
A four-day workshop on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) commenced today in Kaduna, bringing together civil society groups, government officials, and international partners.
The event, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and local partners—including Eva, Hope for Communities and Children Initiative (H4CC), Youth Africa, and Youth Hope Africa—aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to challenge harmful social norms and protect the rights of women and girls.
Dr. Audu Alayande, Assistant Representative for Public Health and Acting Head of Kaduna, welcomed attendees and emphasized the urgency of the issue.
“In Nigeria, over one in three women has experienced GBV, and an estimated one in five women and girls has undergone FGM, with approximately 14 million girls still at risk by 2030,” he stated.
“These practices are sustained by harmful social norms, unequal power relations, and persistent gaps in accurate, age-appropriate sexuality education—especially for out-of-school adolescents and youth who face the highest risks of exploitation, early marriage, and violence.”
The training is based on the My Orange Guide, a peer-educator manual developed with support from UNFPA. It integrates GBV and FGM prevention, peer education, mental health and psychosocial support, digital engagement, and “do no harm” approaches to reach out-of-school youth through inclusive, community-based strategies.
“As you engage over the next four days, I urge you to view yourselves not only as participants but as change agents,” Dr. Alayande told the group.
“The knowledge and tools you gain here must translate into actionable conversations that shift norms, develop programs that reach the most marginalized, and foster leadership that protects the rights and dignity of women and girls.”
Hadiza Umar, Team Leader for Hope for Communities and Children Initiative
(H4CC) echoed the call for tangible action. “The challenge of genital mutilation and GBV persists in our society,” she remarked, referencing 2014 NHS data that indicates little progress has been made.
“At least one in three women is violated every day, and this is unacceptable. We must empower out-of-school youth, who often lack access to authentic information, especially on social media.”
Umar explained that the workshop is aimed at equipping civil society organizations with comprehensive sexuality education, enabling them to advocate against FGM and other harmful practices.
“We are here to understand comprehensive sexuality education and how we can advocate, particularly in areas where FGM and other harmful practices affect women and marginalized individuals in our communities,” she added.
When asked about the expected outcomes for the civil society participants, Umar stated, “The goal is for them to translate what they learn into actionable change.
Whatever knowledge or skills they gain here must contribute to making a difference in their communities. We expect them to become advocates for the change we envision—change agents and champions dedicated to eliminating these issues entirely. That is our target.”
The workshop’s interactive sessions aim to foster new friendships, discuss humanitarian activities, and develop grassroots strategies to address FGM and GBV. Participants are encouraged to use the My Orange Guides to engage with out-of-school youth, promote positive masculinity, and challenge harmful norms within their communities.
As the four-day program comes to an end, the organizers hope the momentum will lead to lasting change. “Let this workshop be the starting point where commitment turns into impact, and where positive masculinity becomes a reality in our communities,” Dr. Alayande concluded. “I look forward to the lasting change that will emerge from your collective efforts.”
