The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday inaugurated a “Yes! Girls Podcast Watch Session” in Kano as part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD).
The session brought together adolescent girls, government representatives, Civil Society Organisations and the media to listen to girls’ perspectives and discuss ways of strengthening their rights, wellbeing and leadership.
The UNICEF Adolescent Development Specialist (ADS), Ngozi Izuora-Songu, said the gathering marked the official launch of the “Yes! Girls Podcast,” a youth-driven digital platform created by adolescent girls for their peers across Nigeria.
She said that the podcast provided a safe space for girls aged between nine and 19, to discuss issues affecting them.
She identified the issues to include education, mental health, menstrual hygiene, HPV prevention, gender equality, leadership and climate action.
Izuora-Songu said the event also commemorated the 2026 International Women’s Day with the theme: “Give to Gain.”
She said the initiative was aimed at shifting the narrative from talking about girls to listening to them.
She noted that many adolescent girls in Nigeria still faced challenges such as school dropout, harmful gender norms, early marriage, limited access to health information and lack of safe spaces to express themselves.
Izuora-Songu said that digital storytelling platforms such as the podcast could help expand opportunities for dialogue, particularly in communities where open discussions about girls’ challenges are limited.
She said UNICEF was focusing on three key priorities for girls in Nigeria, including amplifying their voices, expanding access to information and services, and strengthening their leadership and participation.
She added that UNICEF also collaborates with adolescent and youth networks to ensure girls participate actively in decision-making processes from community to national levels.
The UNICEF ADC, therefore, called for increased investment in girls’ education, expansion of adolescent-friendly services and greater inclusion of girls in policy discussions.
Some of the participants told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the podcast helped them to build confidence and pursue their goals despite challenges.
They said the platform also encourages them to share their concerns with trusted individuals and promotes their positive values.
Other participants from the civil society organisations and the media described the initiative as a call to strengthen the rights and opportunities available to girls.
They urged the adolescents to be positive ambassadors in their communities.
