For years, communities in southern Kaduna lived under a shadow of terror. Bandits roamed the hills and farms, striking at night, kidnapping, killing, and especially targeting women and young girls. Survivors recounted being abducted, raped, and forced into slavery, with entire villages left in perpetual fear, unable to farm, attend school, or sleep peacefully. The violence against women and girls was so systematic that it became a weapon of control, leaving families shattered and communities displaced.
Reported cases paint a grim picture of the hardships endured by girls in the region. In several communities, young girls as young as 12 were kidnapped from their homes or while on their way to school, subjected to sexual violence, and forced into marriages with their abductors. Many were held captive for months, enduring physical and psychological trauma. Schools were shut down, and education for girls became a distant dream as parents feared sending their daughters out of the house. Survivors who escaped often returned to stigma, rejection, and deep mental scars, with little support for rehabilitation.
Amidst this darkness, organizations like the Dahwong Initiative For Girl Child have been at the forefront of pushing for the rights of the average girl child in the North. The Initiative has worked tirelessly to provide psychosocial support, advocate for justice for survivors, and create safe spaces for girls to heal and rebuild their lives. Through community engagement, awareness campaigns, and partnerships, Dahwong has amplified the voices of these girls, demanding accountability and protection from authorities while empowering girls to reclaim their futures.
Today, the story is changing. Thanks to intensified military operations and peace dialogues championed by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (rtd), now the Minister of Defense of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, security in Kaduna and across the North has improved dramatically. Over 3,000 terrorists have been neutralised, thousands of hostages rescued, and many displaced persons have returned home, allowing girls who once cowered in fear to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
The Dahwong Initiative For Girl Child expresses its deep gratitude to General Musa, the Defence Minister, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for their unwavering commitment to peace and to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially those that protect and empower the girl child. Their leadership has turned a narrative of terror into one of hope, resilience, and renewed dignity for women and girls across Kaduna.
