This week, the Back to School Educational Initiative, in collaboration with the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, the Kaduna State Peace Commission and with support from RiseUp, visited Kafanchan on the 11th of December, Zaria on the 12th, and Kaduna Central on the 14th of December 2024. The series of engagements focused on addressing critical issues affecting girls’ education and safety.
We worked alongside community leaders, parents, teachers, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to tackle pressing challenges such as insecurity, gender-based violence (GBV), and the financial barriers that prevent many families from keeping their daughters in school.
Key Actions Taken
Formation of 5-Member Committees:
We established committees in each community, comprising:
• School principals
• Retired security personnel
• Parents and community leaders
These committees will lead efforts to address security concerns, combat GBV, and overcome barriers hindering girls’ access to education.
Through interactive training sessions, participants were equipped with practical strategies to:
• Prevent and respond to GBV in their communities.
• Create safer, more secure school environments for girls.
• Provide ongoing support to vulnerable girls, enabling them to stay in school and thrive.
Parents and community members shared heartfelt stories about challenges such as:
• Financial struggles in covering education costs.
• Fears of violence, including abduction and GBV.
These honest conversations highlighted the urgency of collective action to make schools safe and accessible for every child.
The training included in-depth discussions on GBV, its various forms, and its devastating effects on girls’ mental health, academic performance, and overall development. Participants explored the importance of unified community efforts to eradicate GBV and foster environments where girls feel safe to learn and grow.
Together, we are building Community-Based Safety Committees to ensure girls can pursue their education without fear. These committees will remain active in addressing GBV and insecurity, while creating safe, supportive school environments.