The Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has taken a major step toward advancing the welfare and empowerment of young girls with a landmark event held at Government Secondary School, Hwolshe, in commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child.
The symposium, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Front Line of Crises,” brought together over 500 schoolgirls from 20 secondary schools across the state, providing a platform to address issues affecting girls’ rights, health, and leadership.
A major highlight of the event was the establishment of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Clubs in participating schools. The clubs aim to educate students on the prevention and response to SGBV, promote a culture of respect and dignity, and foster safe and inclusive learning environments for girls to thrive.
Through these clubs, students will engage in regular sensitization activities, encouraging open discussions on gender-based violence and empowering girls to speak up when their rights are violated. The initiative also provides a structured system for referral and escalation of cases beyond school management, ensuring that victims receive timely support and justice.
In addition to the advocacy sessions, the ministry also carried out a sanitary pad distribution exercise, ensuring that every participating student had access to essential menstrual hygiene products. This intervention underscores the ministry’s commitment to promoting menstrual health, reducing school absenteeism, and ensuring that no girl misses out on education due to lack of access to sanitary materials.
The symposium and empowerment initiative reaffirm the Plateau State Government’s dedication to the protection, education, and empowerment of girls. By creating platforms that amplify girls’ voices, foster leadership, and address critical health and social issues, the Ministry of Women Affairs continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
The event also served as a powerful reminder that investing in girls is investing in the future. Through collective action, advocacy, and empowerment, the state is helping to build a generation of confident, informed, and resilient young women who will drive positive change in their communities and beyond.