The Federal Government on Tuesday underscored the crucial role of education and skills acquisition in the rehabilitation of women in detention.
This was stated by Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, at the “Women in Detention Workshop” held in Abuja.
The event was organized by Prison Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) to commemorate its 30th anniversary.
In her address, Dr. Ahmad emphasized the importance of addressing the rehabilitation needs of women in detention, asserting that such women must be equipped with essential skills for self-reliance. “This gathering reflects our shared resolve to ensure that even within the four walls of correctional facilities, women are afforded the dignity, support, and opportunities necessary to rebuild their lives,” she said.
The Minister highlighted that education—both formal and informal—is central to the transformative process of rehabilitation.
She explained that education is not only a tool for personal development but also a lifeline for reintegration and independence.
“For women in detention, education is a pathway to self-discovery, self-reliance, and the restoration of hope,” Ahmad stated.
She also pointed out the importance of skills acquisition as part of rehabilitation, emphasizing that many women in detention face economic hardship and social exclusion, which often perpetuate criminal behavior.
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By providing them with marketable skills relevant to their communities, these women can be empowered to return to society as productive individuals, she added.
“Rehabilitation and reintegration are not acts of charity; they are investments in humanity,” Ahmad said, reinforcing that prioritizing education and skill development for women in detention would create a society that values second chances and upholds the dignity of every individual.
Earlier, Dr. Uju Agomoh, the Executive Director of PRAWA, explained that the organization, a civil society group, was founded in 1994 to promote security, justice, and development in Africa.
She noted that the workshop aimed to address broader issues related to prison conditions, human rights violations, and rehabilitation.
PRAWA is also working with Nigerian universities to introduce paralegal training programs to empower students in legal and human rights efforts within the criminal justice system.