By Abdullahi InuwaÂ
The Katsina State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have taken a major step toward tackling child marriage, gender inequality and the exclusion of vulnerable groups by validating a comprehensive Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) report expected to shape future government policies.
The report, validated at a stakeholders’ meeting in Katsina, provides evidence-based recommendations to address the socio-economic challenges confronting adolescent girls, boys, women, persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups across the state.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Malik Anas, represented by the Statistician-General, Prof. Saifullahi Sani, said the document would become a vital planning tool for ministries, departments and agencies, ensuring that government interventions are guided by reliable data rather than assumptions.
He explained that the study examined the differences between gender equality, gender equity and gender inequality to help policymakers develop targeted programmes capable of reducing deprivation and expanding opportunities for vulnerable citizens.
Anas warned that exclusion from education, healthcare, employment and other basic services continues to deepen poverty and fuel insecurity, stressing that evidence-based planning is key to achieving sustainable development.
The commissioner added that the validated report would enable government to accurately measure the impact of its interventions and determine whether women, children and vulnerable populations are benefiting from public policies.
Chairman of the Katsina State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Ali Abubakar-Albaba, reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to strengthening legal protections for women and children.
He highlighted the Assembly’s passage of laws and motions promoting child rights, child protection, women’s safety and the fight against domestic violence, pledging continued legislative backing for policies that protect vulnerable groups.
Presenting the findings, UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Fatima Musa, revealed that the study covered Katsina, Bauchi and Zamfara States and identified alarming levels of adolescent deprivation, particularly in education, healthcare, protection, economic participation and civic engagement.
According to her, poverty, deeply rooted cultural norms, child marriage, limited adolescent-friendly health services and insecurity remain the major barriers preventing many young people in Katsina from reaching their full potential.
Despite these challenges, Musa commended the Katsina State Government for key reforms, including the domestication of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child Protection Law, the Gender Policy and the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools.
She said the report would provide practical guidance for government, development partners and civil society organisations to strengthen gender equality and social inclusion initiatives before its final validation and adoption by the committee constituted by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
The validation meeting drew participation from government officials, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, who reviewed the report and made recommendations aimed at ensuring it reflects the realities and aspirations of the people of Katsina State.
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