The Bauchi chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, has called for the protection of women’s rights.

They pushed for protection of the rights of women to quality healthcare, education and justice during the celebration of the 2026 International Women’s Day held on Thursday evening in Durum Village, Bauchi LGA.

The programme aimed to raise awareness among rural women about their rights, particularly their access to quality healthcare services and protection from all forms of violence.

Speaking at the event, the chairperson of NAWOJ in Bauchi, Rashida Yusuf, described IWD as an important platform for creating awareness and empowering women to understand their rights in all aspects of life, especially health-related issues.

According to her, the decision to organise the programme in Durum was to ensure that women in rural communities feel included and empowered to become self-reliant.

Ms Yusuf urged women to contribute to reducing child mortality by attending healthcare facilities nearest to them and participating in all recommended antenatal care.

Ms Yusuf advised mothers to ensure that children under five receive routine immunisation.

A representative of the Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, Habiba Adamu, urged women to prioritise delivering their babies in healthcare facilities to ensure safe childbirth.

Ms Adamu noted that the Bauchi State government had enacted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law to protect women from all forms of violence.

She urged women to report cases of violence or abuse to referral centres at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development for appropriate action.

Halima Yusuf, deputy public relations officer of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, the Bauchi chapter, re-affirmed the organisation’s commitment to protecting the rights of women and children, especially in cases of gender-based violence.

She expressed concern over the tendency of some parents to conceal cases of rape or abuse and urged victims to speak out.

In the same vein, the officer-in-charge of the Durum Primary Healthcare Centre, Abdulraahid Bashir, spoke on the importance of antenatal care, skilled birth attendance and good hygiene.

He noted that these areas were of paramount concern, adding that there is the need to prevent diseases linked to poor sanitation.

(NAN)