AGILE: Group develops 37 life skill modules to empower Bauchi girls

 A group, the Syndicate in Supporting Women and Children Initiative (SISWACHI), has developed 37 life skills modules to empower adolescent girls in Bauchi State.

SISWACHI is a partner of the Education Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) being implemented by the Bauchi State Ministry of Education.

Its Executive Director, Mrs Maryan Mohammed, stated this in an interview with newsmen, on Monday in Bauchi.

She said that the life skills manual was developed to support mentors in delivering effective sessions within the safe spaces, adding that each session would last between 90 to 160 minutes.

Mohammed said the Life Skills Sub-component 2.2A — a school-based, safe-space mentoring programme was designed to support SS1 and SS2 female students.

According to Mohammed, the manual is divided into six comprehensive modules including education, life skills, reproductive health, adolescent nutrition and health, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and climate change.

She said that a three-day review and validation of the manual held from April 23 to 25, attracted 70 representatives from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as Civil Society Organisations.

The objective, she said, was to ensure that the manuals’ content were locally relevant and culturally sensitive, and aligned with the national policies in education, health and gender.

Mohammed said the sessions would be anchored by a team of facilitators including two female guidance counselors and a community mentor in each of the designated schools.

”These facilitators are responsible for providing guidance, mentoring and support to help girls build self-confidence and acquire skills necessary to seize future opportunities.

“This manual will serve as a structured guide for facilitators, educators, and mentors, ensuring life skills programmes are effectively implemented and tailored to the real needs of adolescent girls,” she said.