Stakeholders in the health sector and development community have called for stronger collaboration and deliberate action to address challenges affecting women and girls, particularly in the area of sexual and reproductive health in Adamawa State.
The call was made during an event commemorating the 2026 International Women’s Day, organised by the Adamawa State government with support from UNICEF.
The gathering brought together health practitioners, policymakers, development partners and adolescent groups to discuss a wide range of issues affecting women under the theme: “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls.”
Speakers at the event emphasised that achieving gender equality requires deliberate policies and sustained commitment to protect the health, dignity and rights of women and girls.
Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ADPHCDA), Dr. Sulaiman Bashir, described the theme of the celebration as timely, noting that it highlights the urgent need to address structural barriers affecting women.
He said empowering young people with knowledge on reproductive health and gender equality would help prevent many of the challenges women face later in life.
Dr. Bashir stressed that prevention remains a core principle of primary healthcare and underscored the importance of early education on health issues affecting women.
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He urged participants to use the platform not only to discuss challenges but also to develop practical solutions that can be implemented at the community level.
The ADPHCDA chairman also encouraged the media and community leaders to amplify advocacy messages on women’s rights and reproductive health in order to create wider awareness.
Also speaking, the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, called on adolescents to take their education seriously, stressing that advancing the rights of women and girls requires collaboration between both men and women.
She further urged women to patronise hospital delivery services to help reduce maternal mortality and ensure the safety of both mothers and newborns.
The event formed part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day, aimed at promoting equality, improving health outcomes and strengthening support systems for women and girls across the state.
