Kaduna State has announced a new wave of reforms designed to strengthen the protection, dignity and opportunities of women and girls, further positioning the state as one of the leading defenders of women’s rights in Nigeria. The new commitments were outlined at an event tagged “Canada Investing in Women and Girls: Sights and Sounds Across Nigeria”, held as part of the Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual worldwide campaign that highlights the need to end violence against women.
Governor Uba Sani, represented by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, used the occasion to highlight the state’s growing investment in the well-being of women and girls. He noted that Kaduna is not only responding to immediate challenges faced by women, but also confronting deep-rooted inequalities that limit their economic, social and educational opportunities.
According to the Governor, promoting gender equality is not simply an ideal or a social goal—it is a core requirement for development. “The well-being of women and girls is not an adjunct to development; it is the core of any state that aspires to equity, stability and prosperity,” he said.
His message underscored a broad vision: that real progress in Kaduna depends on giving women and girls the tools, opportunities and protection they need to contribute meaningfully to society.
A major highlight of Governor Sani’s address was the recent commissioning of the Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Panbegua. He described the institution as a strategic investment in the state’s effort to strengthen maternal and newborn health.
According to him, every young woman who gains admission into the college enters a pathway that prepares her to save lives. “When a young woman enters that institution, she steps into a future in which her competence can save lives,” he said. He added that each trained nurse and midwife “shortens the distance between vulnerable households and the care they need.”
The Governor also drew attention to Kaduna’s menstrual hygiene programme, which provides sanitary pads to thousands of schoolgirls and promotes the production of reusable products. He noted that something as simple as access to a sanitary pad can shape a girl’s confidence and attendance in school.
“Where a pad is available, a future remains open; where it is absent, the doors to opportunity quietly begin to close,” he said.
The initiative has already improved school attendance among adolescent girls, reducing the stigma and challenges they face during their menstrual cycle. For many girls in rural areas, these pads are essential for maintaining their dignity and staying in school.
Governor Sani reaffirmed that Kaduna State has adopted a tough stance on gender-based violence. He said violence against women and girls “thrives in silence and impunity,” a culture the state government is determined to break.
He highlighted the state’s strengthened criminal processes, which have resulted in more convictions in cases of rape, domestic violence and other forms of abuse. These convictions, he said, send a clear message that violence against women will not be excused or minimized in Kaduna State.
However, he stressed that punishing offenders is only one part of the solution. Survivor support must be strengthened. He called for improved referral pathways, accessible reporting channels and social services that treat survivors with compassion.
“At the moment survivors meet barriers when they should meet support,” he said. “We must correct that.”
Beyond the justice system and health initiatives, Kaduna State has expanded its investment in economic empowerment programmes for women. Governor Sani said real empowerment does not come from short-term donations but from long-term investments that help women become financially secure and independent.
“True empowerment is not delivered through temporary interventions,” he said.
The Governor noted that Kaduna is increasing opportunities for women to access skills training, credit, financial literacy programmes and market opportunities. These initiatives are intended to ensure women can participate fully in the state’s economy, support their families and contribute to community development.
“When women thrive economically, households become stable and communities more resilient,” he added.
Another important part of the state’s reforms is the ongoing deployment of more health workers, nurses, midwives and community health officers to rural and underserved areas. Many women in rural communities often struggle to access health facilities, especially during pregnancy or childbirth.
The Governor said that expanding service delivery to hard-to-reach areas is essential for reducing maternal deaths and improving health outcomes.
“These investments recalibrate the distribution of opportunity and protection across our state,” he said. “They ensure that life-saving care is not restricted to urban areas.”
While celebrating the progress made, the Governor acknowledged that significant challenges remain. He called for stronger partnerships with Canada, global allies, civil society and local community leaders to push the reform agenda further.
He highlighted that while laws can protect women and programmes can offer support, true transformation happens within families, schools, religious institutions and local communities where attitudes and norms are shaped.
“Laws protect, programmes support, but communities transform,” he said.
Governor Sani ended his speech by reaffirming Kaduna State’s commitment to making the environment safer and more supportive for women and girls.
“Our commitments are not rhetorical; they are visible in the infrastructures we have built, the policies we have enacted, the offenders we have held accountable and the girls who remain in school because their state stood with them,” he said.
The Governor’s address highlighted not only the progress that Kaduna has made but also the seriousness with which the state approaches the issue of gender equality. For many advocates and stakeholders present at the event, the message was clear: Kaduna is setting a new standard for how a state can protect, empower and uplift women and girls.
