As part of activities marking this year’s Universal Children’s Day, the Katsina State government in collaboration with an international non-governmental organization, have distributed some items to some Almajiri children and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the metropolis.
This year’s theme is, “Investing in our future, means investing in our children.”
The items include toiletries, footwears and cash.
The organizers say the idea is to cushion the effects of the harmattan season, which is gradually setting in.
During the event held at the Banquet Hall of the Old Government House Katsina, some young girls who are survivors of sexual and gender based violence, recounted their ordeals and thanked the organizers for coming to their aid.
One of them, 18 year old Rashida Suleiman, said she was forced into marriage to an old leper who sells fertilizer in Jigawa State by her grand mother.
She added that, after spending 2 months with the man she escaped, vowing to commit suicide if the marriage is not dissolved, a situation which drew the attention of some gender based organizations who facilitated the dissolution, thereby, stopping her initial suicide plan.
She is living happily now.
A 28 year old mother of 3, Fatima Abubakar, was forced into marriage to a man who chained her and other mate in a room for 3 years.
She added that, throughout those years, they experience nothing but torture, sexual violence and other inhumane treatments.
They thank God for the dissolution of their marriage by a Shari’a court facilitated by the Gender Based Organization.
Some of the Almajiri children expressed happiness over the gesture.
They looked forward to becoming security personnel, to help fight banditry and other crimes in the future.
The state government, through the Director Child Welfare in the Department of Girl Child Education, Yahanatu Abdullahi said, many policies and programmes are being put in place to ensure effective care of the most vulnerable children in the state.
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The children were later lectured on how best to maintain personal hygiene.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
