Gombe stakeholders decry ‘barema’ practice, seek end to girl child exploitation

By Najib Sani, Gombe

Stakeholders in Gombe State have expressed worry over the widespread practice of engaging school-aged girls in farm labour, locally known as “barema”, which they say is crippling girls’ education and exposing them to exploitation and danger in the state.

Our correspondent reports that many girls in the state roam the streets during the rainy season, seeking farm work in exchange for a meagre payment.

They made the expressions during a summit organised by Adda Girl Education Foundation in partnership with the Development Exchange Centre (DEC) and funding support from Bread for the World Germany to address the issue.

Programme Coordinator of ADDA Girls Education Foundation, Abubakar Abdullahi Hussein, stated that the summit was part of the Girls Lead Advocacy Project (GLAP), which aims to reduce the prevalence of barema among girls in the state.

He said the summit would train girls from selected communities, including Malam Jamo and Gama dadi in Akko Local Government Area on gender-based violence, communication skills and advocacy skills.

“The summit is meant to tell the world that barema practice is harmful and makes girls drop out of schools,” Abdullahi said.

He added that the girls, especially those involved in barema would share their problems and needs and receive mentoring.

Abdullahi urged parents to change their mindset and prioritise girls’ education.

“We want full implementation of the laws to protect girls. We want the government to be proactive,” he said.

He highlighted the risks associated with barema, including snake bites, scorpion stings, fatigue and drug abuse alleging that the practice also exposes girls to rape, often perpetrated by co-workers, farm owners or youths in nearby villages.

Abdullahi advised the government to punish parents who prevent their girls from accessing education, saying, “The stories the girls shared are true life stories, and are heartbreaking.”

The Director of Child Development, Gombe State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ladi Jacob Lawan, stated that the “barema” practice has severe consequences for girls, particularly in terms of education and gender-based violence.

She emphasised that “barema” itself constitutes a form of gender-based violence.

A legislator in the state and Chairman of the Gombe State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and Special Duties, Gabriel Galadima, noted that the assembly has enacted laws, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law and the Child Rights Act, which have been assented to by the state governor to protect children’s rights and prevent such exploitation.

Another stakeholder, Ibrahim Yusuf, Chairman of the Gombe State Network of Civil Society Organisations (GONNET), lamented the lack of proper implementation of laws protecting children in the state.

He noted that despite the state governor signing the laws, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law and the Child Rights Act, there is a lack of oversight to ensure their full enforcement.

Yusuf appreciated the governor’s action but emphasised the need for practical application, saying the laws remain ineffective without proper implementation.

One of the girls at the summit, Aisha Bello Adamu, a student of Government Comprehensive Day Secondary School, Akko, said the summit would motivate them to raise awareness among fellow girls about the dangers of “barema”.

She noted that the practice of farm labour threatens the future of girls in the state.

Aisha revealed that girls engaged in farm labour typically earn between ₦1,500 to ₦2,000 for working from morning to night on farms.

The attendees of the summit include stakeholders, comprising traditional leaders, educationists, students, legislators and civil society organisations.