Hadiza's Blog

     A woman preparing firewood to cook a meal for her family in Wako Community, Kwali      Area Council, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. Photo: Hadiza Abdulrahman By Hadiza Abdulrahman  The International Day for Clean Energy raises awareness and encourages action towards a  clean energy  transition that benefits all, including women. The day also highlights the vital role of sustainable energy in transforming lives and promoting a healthier planet. While women can play a crucial role in this transition, they face significant barriers. The United Nations reports that polluting cooking fuels contribute  to 3.2 million premature deaths  annually, with clean cooking having the potential to prevent many of these. Adding that, if current trends continue, by 2030 around 1.8 billion people will still use unsafe, unhealthy and inefficient cooking systems, such as burning wood or dung. Clean energy solutions, including solar, wind, and renewable altern...

  The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for a thorough investigation into the brutal killing of Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member allegedly murdered by her estranged lover in Karu, Nasarawa State. In a statement signed by her special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Jonathan Eze, the minister urged authorities to  ensure that justice is served. The Minister said a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Salome’s death was needed and to bring the perpetrator to justice. “It is high time parents and the Nigerian communities took ownership of the safety and protection of women and girls and our children. See something and say something. We cannot continue like this. “The right to life are non-negotiable human rights that must be respected and protected at all times.” The minister stated. Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the need for community vigilance, encouraging Nigerians to prioritize th...

Hadiza Abdulrahman The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has strongly condemned the escalating cases of violence, abuse, and exploitation targeting women, children, and vulnerable groups across Nigeria, declaring, “Enough is enough!” In a statement issued in Abuja, the Minister expresses alarm over increasing reports of sexual assault, physical violence, emotional abuse, child trafficking, and online exploitation occurring within schools, homes, and communities. She emphasized the collective moral and legal responsibility to safeguard vulnerable groups. “Every child deserves a safe, secure, and nurturing environment free from fear and abuse,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated. “Schools, homes, and communities must be sanctuaries, not places of torment.” Decisive Actions and Policy Reforms The Ministry is committed to immediate and decisive action against perpetrators of these heinous crimes, which undermine societal values. A national social protection policy is being dev...

  The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called attention to the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and children, who make up 80% of its victims. Speaking at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Minister urged international organizations and development partners to increase investments in empowering women and children. Women at the Heart of Food Production and Climate Solutions Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted women’s critical role in global food production, noting that they account for 70% of food processing and 60% of smallholder farming activities worldwide. She emphasized the need for their active involvement in land restoration and climate adaptation initiatives. The Minister also spotlighted the health hazards faced by women who rely on traditional cooking fuels. She equated the inhalation of cooking smoke to smoking 40 cigarettes per meal, stressing the urgency of transitioning to c...

  The organisation has supported the Nigerian woman in key initiatives, including the National Gender Policy (2021-2026), Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy, and the Third National Action Plan of UNSCR 1325. UN Women, a gender arm of the United Nations, has reaffirmed its commitment to uphold women’s human rights as well as their political and economic participation in Nigeria. Dr Nesreen El-Molla, the UN Deputy Representative to Nigeria, stated this in Abuja at a joint accountability forum and orange lighting ceremony, with the theme “ Towards Beijing +30 : UNITE to End violence against women and girls” as part of activities in commemorating the #16daysofactivism to end violence against women and girls. Dr El-Molla acknowledged that harmful practices against women remain prevalent in Nigeria despite some progress, and called for increased investment in reforms to protect their rights. “Today is an opportunity to remind ourselves that we need to invest in prevention and respon...

A High-Level Technical Working Group on Gender-Responsive Budgeting, Policies, and Institutions has been inaugurated to tackle the growing issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria. The group, which includes representatives from government agencies and international organizations, was launched in Abuja during a High-Level Dialogue on Investment in Gender Equality and Ending Violence Against Women. The event was organized by UN Women in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), Nigeria. Dr Abdul Kamara, the Director General of the African Development Bank, emphasized that empowering women and girls is crucial for building strong, inclusive, and sustainable economies. He stated, “When women and men, boys and girls have equal opportunities and participate in all areas of life—whether in their communities, in entrepreneurship, in parliament, or in creative industries—societies become more productive, more resilient, more peaceful, and ultimately more powerful.” Dr Kamara ...

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign observed annually, starting on November 25; ‘the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,’ and runs until December 10; ‘Human Rights Day.’  The campaign calls for sustained commitment and partnership to prevent violence and ensure justice for women and girls worldwide. Think about the girl in your neighborhood, the woman in the market, or even someone in your family. The fight against GBV is about giving these women a voice, dignity, and a future free from fear Joining the 16 Days of Activism means becoming part of the solution to end this cycle of abuse and silence. Here’s how you can engage meaningfully within the next 16 days: Speak Up:  Use social media to share facts, stories, and resources with hashtags like #16Days Volunteer or Donate : Support NGOs working to protect women and girls or offer your time to their initiatives. Advocate : Engage with policyma...