By Adamu IMAM, Bauchi
IWD: JCI Bauchi Commits to Women Empowerment, Transform Communities
By Adamu IMAM,Bauchi 10th March, 2025
Junior Chambers International JCI Bauchi City, in collaboration with Aid Connect for Development, hosted a transformative event to mark International Women’s Day 2025 with the theme: “Accelerating Action to Elevate Women’s Empowerment and Transform Communities.”
The event served as a platform for dialogue, advocacy, and commitment toward addressing gender inequality, mental health challenges, and barriers to education and economic opportunities for women and other vulnerable members of the society.
The gathering brought together distinguished speakers, thought leaders, gender advocates, and development partners, all of whom shared insights on the urgent need to empower women and foster inclusive communities.
While the discussions were centred on breaking down barriers that hinder women's progress and exploring solutions to create equal opportunities for them in leadership, education, and economic growth and development.
President of JCI Bauchi City Tajudeen Taiwo Akintunde, emphasized the undeniable role of women in shaping societies and called for intentional actions to support their empowerment.
“Women play crucial roles as mothers, leaders, and changemakers, and their contributions cannot be overstated. Today, we not only celebrating their achievements but also reaffirm our commitment to creating opportunities for them to thrive.
He futher acknowledged that, women have continuously broken barriers, as seen in the inspiring journeys of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Aisha Yesufu, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
Their leadership and advocacy push us to take action for gender equality and community transformation,” he maintained.
A key highlight of the event was an engaging panel discussion on women’s mental health challenges, which featured notable panelists, including Haj. Sa'adatu Muhammad Usman, (Coordinator, Development Partners, Bauchi State Ministry of Education), Haj. Zuwaira Baba, (Gender Desk Officer, Bauchi State Ministry of Health), and Mrs. Abigail Hardo Adegoke, (Executive Director, Aid Connect for Development).
The discussion shed more light on the silent struggles many women face due to societal expectations, gender-based violence, and a lack of access to mental health support.
Meanwhile, Panelists stressed the need to break the stigma surrounding mental health by encouraging open conversations, expanding access to professional counseling, and fostering community initiatives and support.
Abigail Adegoke, Executive Director of Aid Connect for Development, highlighted that mental health is often overlooked in gender discussions, but remains a critical aspect of women’s overall well-being.
“Too many women suffer in silence due to cultural norms and inadequate mental care health resources, we must break this cycle by normalizing conversations around mental health, providing women with support systems, and ensuring access to counseling services,” she explained.
Another vital aspect of the event was a discussion on gender equality and inclusion, focusing on strategies to ensure equal access to education and career opportunities for women, particularly in male-dominated fields of endeavor.
Sa'adatu Muhammad Usman emphasized that education is a key driver of women’s empowerment and shared insights on initiatives such as the Agile Project, supported by the World Bank, which is dedicated to providing adolescent girls with literacy, numeracy, life skills, and vocational training.
“Education is a right, not a privilege. Our initiatives aim to integrate out-of-school girls and young women into non-formal education programs, equipping them with skills that will empower them economically and socially,” she acknowledged.
Another important topic of discussion was the role of media in shaping perceptions of women.
Zuwaira Baba, Gender Desk Officer at the Bauchi State Ministry of Health, stressed the need for gender-sensitive communication in advocacy campaigns. She highlighted the importance of engaging traditional and religious leaders in conversations about gender equality, ensuring that advocacy messages resonate within cultural and religious contexts.
“The media plays a powerful role in shaping societal attitudes toward gender equality. We must train journalists, policymakers, and service providers on gender-sensitive reporting and ensure positive representations of women in leadership and decision-making roles,” she emphasized.
As the event came to a close, speakers reaffirmed commitment for advocating to gender equality, mental health awareness, and increased opportunities for women in education, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Mr Edward Udosen, a senior lecturer with the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi and a guest, remarked,
“Women should continue to support each other, rise to challenges, and embrace opportunities. We cannot clap with one hand—both men and women must work together to achieve true gender equity.”
JCI Amb. Felix Sunday Akinyemi, JCI Aso President also commended the insightful discussions and reaffirmed JCI’s dedication to fostering a more equitable society.
“This has been an inspiring discussion. As JCI, we look forward to more engagements like this, where real issues are discussed, and real solutions are proposed,” he noted.
In her final words, event moderator Abdulmalik Hidaya encouraged women to recognize their potential and take action. “To all women out there—know your worth, take action, and continue striving for greatness. Gender equality is not just a vision; it is a movement we must actively drive forward.”
The partnership emphasized that, with meaningful discussions and a collective commitment to action, JCI Bauchi City and Aid Connect for Development have set the stage for lasting change in the fight for women’s empowerment and community transformation.
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WOMEN'S DAY