2020
Sani Muhammad
- Age: 29
- | He/him/his
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Young people need to see themselves as useful in making change for their own issues. They are not mere statistics, but people with needs, aspirations, and voices that should be heard and above all, people whose health and well-being should be prioritized. Let’s drive sustainable changes beyond our gender identities.
- Sani Muhammad
Bio
Sani Muhammad was born and raised in Nigeria. He is working toward a Master of Science in Sociology and Demography at Bayero University, Kano. As Founder and Executive Director at Bridge Connect Africa Initiative, Sani is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization, including campaigns, fundraising, program development, human resource management and finance, as well as advising and supporting professional staff and monitoring and reporting on progress. As board member at Sulhu Development Initiative, he advises on policy initiatives that direct the organization towards its mission and set objectives.
Additionally, Sani is a member of the Advocacy and Accountability Sub-Committee at International Conference for Family Planning 2021. Previously, he was a ONE Champion for ONE Campaign in Nigeria, In-Country volunteer with Voluntary Service Overseas, Nigeria, and President at Charity & Gender Community Development Service, National Youth Service Corps.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
I met a 15-year-old divorcee who had a child. She had to drop out of school and was living in abject poverty and utmost abandonment. I learned girls from age nine were married off as children. How can a community treat a girl this way? I could not accept it. I started a #SpeakUp and #TimeToActSRHR campaign against child marriage in northern Nigeria for young people to stand up for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
Our #SpeakUp and #TimeToActSRHR multimedia campaign reached over 3,341,405 people online, 700 community members, 11 policymakers, and screened videos across three communities in northern Nigeria. We secured a policy commitment from the Kano State Governor to end child marriage by passing an education policy that provides compulsory, free education for all girls in Kano.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
I love traveling, reading, and engaging in social activities with family and friends.
Languages Spoken:
- English
- Hausa
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