By: Aisha Mohammed
A panel discussion emphasizing collaborative action to accelerate progress toward rights, equality, and empowerment took center stage.
The discussion, chaired by 18-year-old Edna Dauda, aimed to provide lasting solutions to issues surrounding adolescent girls and young children in Nigeria.
Panelists engaged in discussions on adolescent girls’ rights, sexual and reproductive health, education, and development.
The moderators inquired about the crucial focus on adolescent girls’ health, challenges, and future prospects.
In response, UNICEF’s Maternal and Newborn Health Specialist, Dr. Victoria Isiramen, and Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Sulaiman Bashir, emphasized that health is a fundamental aspect of development.
They stressed that adolescence is a critical transition period, requiring early health protection to foster a productive society.
Adolescent girls participating in the panel discussion, including Nimrod Grace, highlighted pressing issues affecting their health, such as menstrual health, poor menstrual hygiene, and early pregnancy.
Rita Bleambo advocated for utilizing digital media platforms, alongside traditional and religious approaches, to address harmful norms impacting adolescent girls’ health.
Director of Community Health Services at the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Rashida Tahir, emphasized the vital role parents and community members play in protecting adolescent children’s health.
She urged parents to engage in open discussions on reproductive health, particularly with their adolescent girls.
Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Bauchi Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, underscored the importance of nutrition for adolescent girls and called for collaborative action to address this issue.
Social Behavior Change Specialist at UNICEF Dr. Noma Owens, , described young children as agents of change and advocated for creating spaces for adolescent girls and young children through adolescent peer initiatives.
The panel discussion, themed For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equity, Empowerment, was organized by the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA and the European Union under its Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health, SARAH, initiative to commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day.
