By Safia Abdulrahman
Dr Ruqqaya Ahmed, the newly appointed President of Guardian Girls Nigeria (GGN), says her priority is to establish a functional structure that will extend the organisation’s programmes and impact across Nigeria.
Ahmed said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, outlining plans to strengthen the organisation’s presence and support for women and girls nationwide.
Guardian Girls International, founded by Japanese actor Shin Koyamada and a strategic partner of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) since 2019, recently appointed Ahmed to lead operations in Nigeria.
The organisation teaches self-defence skills to girls and works with police gender units to ensure reports of abuse are acted upon, while operating in 27 countries worldwide.
Ahmed, who is also Acting Chairperson of Koyamada International Foundation Nigeria, said her appointment recognised 16 years of experience in humanitarian service and social-impact initiatives across diverse communities.
She said previous leadership roles with non-governmental organisations, including Pink October and Queen’s Care and Empowerment Foundation, alongside private-sector experience, contributed significantly to her selection for leadership.
“The appointment means that the impact I have made in the lives of others is being recognised and appreciated,” she said, describing the development as both encouraging and rewarding.
Ahmed said her responsibility was to provide leadership that would enable Guardian Girls Nigeria and Koyamada International Foundation Nigeria achieve their missions and expand impact nationwide effectively.
She explained that Guardian Girls Nigeria, the gender-focused arm of Koyamada International Foundation, is committed to addressing gender-based violence while promoting gender equality and empowerment opportunities for women.
According to her, the organisation will inaugurate six programmes, namely Guardian Girls Defence, Guardian Girls Police, Nigerian Women’s Dialogue, Holy Women Initiative, Isese Initiative and Amana Women Initiative.
Ahmed said Guardian Girls Defence would collaborate with the Nigerian Karate Federation and other martial arts organisations to equip women and girls with practical self-defence skills against violence.
She said Guardian Girls Police would work directly with gender units of the Nigeria Police Force to encourage prompt responses to reports involving violence against women and girls.
According to her, the programme also intends to ensure survivors of physical or sexual assault receive appropriate support while perpetrators are held accountable through lawful processes.
Ahmed said the Nigerian Women’s Dialogue would convene stakeholders and collaborators to discuss issues affecting women and develop practical solutions capable of advancing their welfare and opportunities.
She explained that the three community-based initiatives would help extend the organisation’s reach and programmes across diverse religious and cultural groups throughout communities nationwide.
According to her, the Holy Women Initiative has been signed with the Catholic Federation, while the Isese Women Initiative will engage women within traditional religious communities nationwide.
She added that the Amana Women Initiative would work with Muslim communities across the country to support implementation of programmes designed to benefit women and girls effectively.
Ahmed said the programmes were designed to empower women and girls through self-defence training, skills acquisition, education opportunities and financial empowerment initiatives for sustainable development nationwide.
She said the ultimate goal was for Guardian Girls Nigeria to have a meaningful presence not only nationally but also within communities across the country.
“The organisation will work toward creating a safer society by empowering women and girls with knowledge, skills and opportunities to protect themselves and improve their wellbeing,” she said.(NAN)
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Abiemwense Moru