UNICEF seeks more investment in women, adolescents

The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Tushar Rane, on Thursday called for more investment in women and adolescent girls to promote community health and secure a better future for the society.

Rane advocated this while delivering a remark at the opening of the Media Dialogue on Investing in Women, as part of activities to commemorate the 2024 International Women’s Day in Gombe.

The UNICEF Chief noted that adolescent girls’ rights worldwide were under threat, with progress on key issues either stagnating or regressing on a global scale.

“In the face of challenges such as the ongoing global economic crisis, political turmoil, and humanitarian emergencies, adolescent girls are often overlooked, exploited, or placed in precarious situations.

“Shockingly, one in seven girls in developing countries is married before reaching the age of 15. Moreover, adolescent girls continue to face elevated risks of sexual violence.

“If the present trajectories persist, the number of girls and women living in extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase by 2030. Today, nearly half of the adolescent girls in UNICEF programme countries suffer from anemia and lack access to essential health and nutrition services in the event of pregnancy,” he said.

Rane called for aggressive empowerment of girls which he said can play a crucial role in tackling some of the most pressing global challenges against adolescent girls and safeguard a brighter and sustainable future for generations to come.

This is even as he implores journalists to use their wide-reaching media platforms to set the public and political agenda for the well-being of women and adolescent girls.

The media dialogue draws journalists from Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau and Gombe states.