Zamfara: Women Affairs Commissioner Commends Govt for Graduating 710 Auxiliary Social Workers


The Zamfara State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Aisha M.Z. Anka, has commended the state government for graduating and certifying 710 Auxiliary Social Workers (ASWs), describing the initiative as a major step towards strengthening child protection and social welfare services.

She also lauded the unveiling of the Zamfara State Family Court Rules and Alternative Care Guidelines for Children, saying the initiatives would enhance community-based protection mechanisms and improve access to essential social services for women, children and other vulnerable groups.

Dr. Anka stated this during the graduation and certification ceremony held at Dr. Garba Nadama Hall, Gusau.

In a statement issued by the Ministry's Public Relations Officer, Sulaiman Aliyu Gusau, the Commissioner acknowledged Governor Dauda Lawal's efforts to rebuild the state's social service system, particularly through the settlement of outstanding counterpart funding obligations, which helped restore collaboration with development partners, including the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

She explained that the renewed partnerships had created opportunities to strengthen interventions aimed at improving the welfare of women, children and other vulnerable members of society.

The Commissioner noted that the government's support for improving the ministry's working environment, alongside the recruitment and training of Auxiliary Social Workers, demonstrated its commitment to building institutional capacity and enhancing service delivery.

She also appreciated the contributions of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, UNICEF and the Federal University Gusau towards the successful implementation of the training programme.

Dr. Anka charged the newly certified Auxiliary Social Workers to discharge their responsibilities with honesty, empathy, confidentiality and professionalism.

She stressed that the workers would play vital roles in identifying protection concerns, supporting vulnerable individuals and facilitating referrals to relevant service providers at the grassroots.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Nasiru Galadima Kaura, reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting Governor Dauda Lawal's Rescue Mission through the delivery of effective social welfare services to the people of the state.

He said the administration was providing financial support for ministry initiatives designed to address the needs of communities.

In her remarks, the State Auxiliary Social Workers Coordinator and Director of Child Protection and Development, Farida Abdulrazak Adamu, emphasised the importance of Auxiliary Social Workers in identifying cases of child abuse, neglect and exploitation and establishing appropriate referral mechanisms.

She explained that, beyond identifying and reporting cases, the workers had been trained to promote preventive measures through community sensitisation campaigns.

According to her, the campaigns are aimed at raising awareness and preventing child abuse, neglect and exploitation across communities and public places.

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