By Musa Ubandawaki Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor’s wife, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, has highlighted the transformative impact of her initiatives on the lives of rural women in the state.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 500 women trained in various skill acquisition programs, held at Umar Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic in commemoration of International Women’s Day, Hajiya Fatima emphasized her commitment to improving women’s well-being and enhancing their ability to care for their families. She pledged to vigorously pursue the implementation of these initiatives to achieve the desired results.

Represented by the Special Adviser on Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises, Hajiya Binta Usman, she urged women in the state to embrace entrepreneurship to support their families.

According to her, the Sokoto State Government identified numerous challenges faced by women, particularly in rural areas, including limited access to education, healthcare, and financial independence. These barriers hindered their well-being and progress, but efforts were underway to address them swiftly.

“The pressure to bear children continuously without adequate spacing has led to health complications for both mothers and children,” she noted.

“I am optimistic that these programs will provide a holistic solution to the myriad challenges faced by women in Sokoto State and across the country.”

She explained that her first step was launching a series of training programs aimed at equipping women with valuable skills to improve their lives and those of their families. These programs included workshops on entrepreneurship, handicrafts, and, most importantly, home gardening.

“Providing women with the knowledge, technical know-how, and tools to cultivate their own gardens will not only improve their nutritional status but also serve as a source of income and well-being.”

She emphasized that home gardening offers profound benefits for women’s health, especially as many households struggle with food insecurity and poor nutrition.

“With access to fresh produce, women can provide their families with healthier, balanced meals, leading to improved maternal and child health,” she said.

“A diet rich in vitamins and minerals plays a crucial role in strengthening women’s immune systems, preventing malnutrition, and reducing the risk of complications during childbirth.”

She further noted that women with access to nutritious food were less likely to experience the fatigue and weakness often associated with frequent pregnancies.

“The reduced health risks associated with better nutrition contribute to healthier pregnancies and babies, lowering maternal and infant mortality rates in the state.”

She added that skill acquisition programs enabled women to learn various vocational skills such as sewing, soap making, salon management, pomade production, and catering, helping them generate income and foster financial independence.

“When women contribute economically to their households, they gain more control over family planning decisions, including child spacing.”

“Financial stability allows women to decide when to have children, enabling them to space pregnancies according to their health needs and personal preferences.”

She stressed that empowering women financially and educating them on their health would enable them to make informed reproductive choices.

Health educator Amina Baba acknowledged that since Sokoto women embraced sustainable child spacing, there had been noticeable improvements in maternal and child health.

“By spacing their children, women in the state can recover fully between pregnancies, maintaining their health and vitality. This has led to fewer cases of anemia, maternal exhaustion, and infant mortality.”

“With healthier pregnancies and children, families are better equipped to thrive.”

She added that the skills acquired through various initiatives had long-term social and economic benefits.

“Women trained in entrepreneurship and home gardening have become role models in their communities, inspiring others to take similar steps toward empowerment.”

As women’s health improves, so does their ability to raise healthier children and contribute to the growth of their communities.

Prioritizing women’s health through sustainable child spacing and equipping them with the tools to succeed, she noted, has laid a solid foundation for a brighter future.

“With the adoption of home gardening and skill acquisition, Sokoto State will witness a shift towards healthier families, empowered communities, and a sustainable future.”