The Bauchi State Government has pledged to marry off at least 100 repentant commercial sex workers who indicated interest and presented themselves to the state’s Hisbah Department.
The Permanent Secretary in charge of the department, Alhaji Aminu Balarabe-Isah, made this known Tuesday at the formal inauguration of vocational training for 575 repentant commercial sex workers in Bauchi.
He said the government would sponsor the weddings of both Muslim and Christian women among them and provide them with dependable and reliable sources of livelihood.
He added: “we would facilitate the entire process after obtaining their consent and that of their parents and guardians before the marriage takes place.”
He commended them for taking the bold decision to renounce the practice, which may affect their lives negatively and place a permanent stigma on them.
The PS explained that the repentant sex workers would be trained on vocational skills which included hair dressing, knitting, entrepreneurship, tailoring and cosmetology.
He added that other skills were make-up, catering, poultry/fishery, shoe/bag making and computer literacy classes, adding that the training was in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
“We would expand the scope of the training to the 20 existing local government areas of the state,” he assured.
According to him, the day for the mass wedding will be announced after completing all necessary preparations and after ensuring that due processes are
adhered to for the exercise.
One of the trainees, Maryam David, described the gesture as a welcome development and assured that she would never return to her previous lifestyle again.
She said she would use the knowledge acquired to establish her own business and eventually remarry to turn a better life.
Another trainee, Hadiza Mohammed, commended the Gov. Bala Mohammed-led administration for initiating the programme, saying “I am learning a vocation in hairdressing and I am happy for the opportunity.
“I will soon establish my own business to achieve self-sustainability, as my former way of life is regrettable and full of unnecessary risks,” she said.
NAN
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