NGO equips girls with digital skills to defy gender barriers in Bauchi
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Girl Child Values Support Initiative (GCVSI), with support from the French Embassy Fund, is training over 200 girls participants under its ongoing STEAMinist Against Gender-Based Violence Project in Bauchi State.
GCVSI is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of women and girls, including those with disabilities, in rural and crisis-affected communities in Northern Nigeria.
Mr Oluwatosin Zuriel, Senior Programme Officer for GCVSI in Bauchi State stated this in an interview in an interview newsmen in Bauchi
He said this is in a bold effort to equip young women and girls including those with disabilities with cutting-edge digital and creative skills.
According to him, the initiative, now in its fifth month, is more than just a skills program, it opens new doors for girls historically sidelined by poverty, disability, or gender-based discrimination.
“We’re implementing the STEAMinist Project to empower young women and girls with and without disabilities with practical STEAM skills that can change their lives.
“This includes Photography, Videography, Podcasting, 3D Printing, Application Development, Painting, and much more,” Zuriel said.
Zuriel stressed that the program doesn’t just aim to educate, it aims to liberate.
“By introducing participants to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), the initiative seeks to break cycles of dependence, violence, and exclusion.
“We want girls in Bauchi to know that with the right skills, they can secure remote jobs, earn a decent living, and stand against gender-based violence. It’s about creating pathways to independence and dignity,” he added.
Zuriel explained that application response has been overwhelming with over 500 young women and girls applied for the first phase, with more than 150 selected for initial training.
He believes this signals a growing hunger for opportunity among girls in Bauchi State and a readiness to embrace innovation.
“However, the road hasn’t been without challenges. Participants with disabilities faced barriers such as limited accessibility and lack of foundational skills for some technical courses.
“Others dropped out due to domestic responsibilities or transportation difficulties.
“We encountered a few hurdles, especially with accessibility for girls with disabilities. But we adapted offering online sessions and making accommodations to ensure no one was left behind,” Zuriel explained.
The Senior Programme officer said GCVSI is now preparing for the second phase of the STEAMinist Project and is calling on interested participants to apply through the organization’s social media platforms and partner hubs.
Zuriel expressed heartfelt gratitude to the French Embassy Fund for their crucial support and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowerment and inclusion.
“We’ve seen resilience, creativity, and determination. There’s light at the end of the tunnel for all girls and women, whether living with a disability or not,” he said.
He said the STEAMinist Project is not just teaching skills it is sparking a quiet revolution,” he said.
