Sokoto State government and Plan International, an NGO, are working to ensure that all female students are back to schools despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
This followed the launching of “Gender At the Centre Initiative” in the state which was supported by the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Education Lead, Plan International, Nigeria, Laban Onisimus, said over 130 million girls were already out of school globally before the pandemic.
He said 70 per cent of the 10.5 million girls excluded from schools in Nigeria were in the North.
According to him, 11 million more are at the risk of not going back to school because of the pandemic, thus heightening the risk of gender-based violence, early and forced marriage.
He added that the development would create a crisis within crisis because some of the countries, including Nigeria, were overburdened by the pandemic and insecurity.
He called for sustained community engagement, laws, policies and plans that would advance rights as well as sustained and adequate funding to education.
Highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a declaration by the Sokoto State Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Muhammad Bello Gwiwa, who thanked Plan International for its support towards girls education in the state.
He said the state government has directed schools to adhere strictly to safety protocols adding that there are laws, protecting girls against any form of violence in the state.
