Rasheeda Yahaya
By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
A mother and education advocate, Hajiya Halima Mahdi, has described the girl child as one of the most precious gifts from Allah (SWT), symbolising hope, light, and the promise of a brighter future.
Hajiya Halima, who serves as the State and Zonal Coordinator of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), also doubles as Director of Education at the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (ANGO) and Executive Director of Concerned Minds for Environment, Health and Community Initiative (CMEHCI).
She further coordinates the Zonal Office of the Compassion for Women and Youths Initiative.
Speaking on the significance of the girl child, she said every girl carries within her the potential to become a mother, mentor, and nation builder whose wisdom and resilience can transform homes, communities, and societies at large.
“The girl child is a beacon of hope a teenager full of dreams, a young woman of determination, and a future leader with the power to inspire positive change,” she said.
According to her, every girl has the ability to pursue any aspiration of her choice whether as a teacher shaping minds, a doctor saving lives, an engineer driving innovation, a politician advocating for justice, or a peace ambassador promoting stability.
Despite this immense potential, Halima expressed concern that discrimination, child marriage, gender-based violence, and denial of education continue to undermine the progress and dignity of many girls.
“In some communities, girls are still treated as commodities to settle debts or as victims during conflicts, their humanity disregarded simply because they are female,” she lamented.
She emphasised that denying girls access to education and equal opportunities is not only an act of injustice but a major setback to national development.
“When a girl is denied education, society loses a leader; when she is silenced, the voice of wisdom and compassion is lost,” she added.
Hajiya Halima therefore called on parents, community leaders, and all tiers of government to work together in promoting girl-child education and empowerment through mentorship, protection, and access to quality learning.
“The girl child is not a burden but a blessing not a weakness but a source of strength. When given the right support, she can lift families out of poverty, promote peace, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable national development,” she said.
