Jigawa Stakeholders Trained on Human Rights, Gender Equality and Inclusive Social Protection

By Dauda Muhammad Hadejia

Government officials drawn from the Jigawa State Technical Working Group (TWG) on Social Protection and members of the State Social Protection Council have participated in a capacity-building training aimed at strengthening human rights, gender equality and inclusion within the state’s social protection systems.

.

The training, which brought together key policymakers and technical officers, focused on enhancing participants’ capacity to integrate Human Rights, Gender Equality and Inclusion (HRGEI) principles into social protection policies, programmes and implementation processes. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen effective, accountable and inclusive social protection delivery across Jigawa State.

Participants were taken through sessions designed to deepen their understanding of a rights-based approach to social protection, fundamental human rights principles, and the concepts of equality, diversity and inclusion. The training also emphasized the protection of vulnerable populations through inclusive social protection mechanisms, while clarifying legal frameworks, equity concepts, non-discrimination principles and the obligations of the state in safeguarding citizens’ rights.

Delivering the opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Jigawa State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Malam Sagir Muhammad Sani Kila, represented by the Ministry’s Social Protection Focal Person, Bashir Nasoro, commended the Action Against Hunger (ACF) project for what he described as a timely and impactful intervention. He noted that strengthening systems and building stakeholder capacity were critical to improving social protection outcomes in the state.

He urged participants to translate the knowledge and skills acquired during the training into practical actions that would help change prevailing narratives, enhance inclusion and improve access to essential social protection services for vulnerable groups across Jigawa State.

In his remarks, the Social Protection Programme Manager, ACF Jigawa, Kassim Yusuf, expressed appreciation to key stakeholders and technical officers for their commitment to advancing inclusive social protection. He underscored the importance of accountability and transparency in programme implementation, stressing that service delivery to beneficiaries must be people-centred and free from political interference.

Kassim Yusuf further reaffirmed ACF’s commitment to continued technical assistance, capacity building and advocacy to support the development of inclusive, efficient and sustainable social protection programmes in Jigawa State.
Participants described the training as a critical step toward building a shared understanding of human rights-based and inclusive approaches to social protection.

They noted that the knowledge gained is expected to translate into more equitable, responsive and people-centred policies and practices across the state.
Presentations at the training were delivered by Dr. Usman Suleiman Sarki, Head of the Department of Sociology, Federal University Dutse (FUD), and Mrs. Jummai Yusuf. Their sessions focused on the interlinkages between human rights and social protection, as well as gender equality, safeguarding and inclusion, providing participants with both theoretical and practical perspectives on inclusive social protection delivery.