By: John Bassey, Zamfara.

The Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has trained no fewer than eighty (80) women on sexual Reproductive Health Information, entrepreneurship skills, financial literacy, and numeracy, with provisions made for start-up grants to enhance their economic Independence.

The three-day training programme was organized by the ministry with the support of UNFPA, held at the UBE Training Centre, Bypass, Gusau.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Aisha MZ. Anka reaffirmed the commitment of the Zamfara State Government to sustaining programmes and partnerships that promote women’s health, education, empowerment, and social development across the state.

Dr. Anka stated that the present administration under the leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal has introduced numerous developmental and economic programmes aimed at improving the well-being of the people of Zamfara State, particularly women, girls, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

She noted that the programme aligns with Governor Dauda Lawal’s people-centred agenda, which prioritises improvements in the health sector, education, and human capital development.

According to her, the Governor has continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to empowering women and girls through knowledge, skills, and opportunities, made possible through strategic partnerships with development organisations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

She further explained that the inclusion of skills acquisition, literacy, and numeracy components reflects the holistic development approach of the present administration.

Dr. Aisha MZ Anka expressed profound appreciation to UNFPA for its sustained partnership, technical expertise, and dedication to improving the lives of women and young people in Zamfara State.

She also commended the First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, for her unwavering commitment to improving the well-being of women, children, and other vulnerable groups through various empowerment initiatives.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Barrister Suwaiba Ibrahim Barau, appreciated the Zamfara State Government for initiating empowerment programmes that uplift the lives of the people and encouraged beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the knowledge and skills acquired during the training.

In his remarks, the UNFPA State Coordinator, Comrade Lawal Shehu Tsafe, reiterated UNFPA’s commitment to partnering with the Zamfara State Government in implementing people-oriented programmes aimed at strengthening human development, economic empowerment, and health education.

The training featured expert facilitators, including Dr. Khadija Kanoma, Consultant Gynaecologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, who sensitised participants, mostly household women, on reproductive health education.

She emphasised the importance of attending antenatal care at recognised health facilities, avoiding self-medication, and discouraging harmful traditional practices such as delaying hospital visits during labour, which often lead to serious health complications.

Dr. Kanoma noted that proper maternal healthcare practices would significantly reduce maternal mortality in communities.

Another facilitator, Malam Attahiru Shehu, trained participants on reviving collapsed small-scale businesses and establishing new ones to enhance women’s economic development.

In their separate remarks, representatives of the Gusau and Anka Emirate Councils, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim Bello and Alhaji Mohammed Attahiru (Sarkin Zamfaran Anka), commended the Zamfara State Government for initiating empowerment programmes that directly impact the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly women and other vulnerable groups.

The beneficiaries of the programs were drawn from the Gusau and Anka Emirate Councils.