BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
Save the Child Initiative, (STCI), Nigeria in collaboration with Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) have commenced a 3-day workshop to develop and validate life skills training manual In Sokoto State.
Addressing the participants, the Chief Executive Officer of STCI, Nigeria, Abdulganiyu Abubakar encouraged all and sundry to always cultivate the culture of empowering the girl child and support them build self their esteem.
According to Abdulganiyu, the societal mentality of seeing the girl child as second class has compelled many into drug abuse just to withstand stigma and boost their self esteem.
Speaking on the overview of life skills training manual, STCI, Nigeria Resource Person, Professor Abdulateef Usman, said it is designed to equip the adolescent girls with the necessary tools and skills to navigate the challenges of growing up, while fostering their personal development, emotional well being and social interactions.
Professor Abdulateef, who is the Head of Department, History and International Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto added that the manual typically combines both practical and emotional skills to promote self-confidence, self-awareness goal setting mentality.
“”The goal is to help the girl child build strong foundation for emotional well being, understand emotions, promote emotional intelligence, build self esteem, goal setting, cultivate effective communication skills, both verbal and non verbal.
It is also going to encourage them to be assertive, help them in conflict resolution, ensure mutual respect, encourage critical thinking, problem solving ability and help the adolescent girl to prioritize life, balance time, study techniques and stress management””.
Continuing, Prof Abdulateef said the Life Skills Training also has segments that include physical health, mental health, reproductive health education (puberty, menstruation, sexual health and consent).
Other segment include, “‘building healthy relationship, empathy, respect, leadership and teamwork as well as financial literary, basic money management, entrepreneurial skills. It will also help prepare the girl child in their future career exploration, life beyond school, and encourage journaling.
Speaking earlier, AGILE Life Skills Component Lead, Hajiya Mairo Sherif, stressed that consideration of the environment social Safeguards are necessary for AGILE success.
According to Mairo, that explains why the AGILE SAFE SPACE Initiative is designed to address barriers and support adolescent girls education, promote gender equality and enhance learning.
