By Angela Atabo

A group, Girl Child Values Support Initiative has adopted drama as a strategy to combat child marriage in Dafara community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Its Executive Director, Ms Precious Wakili, stated this during one of the drama sessions to sensitise members of the community in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, against child marriage.

The drama session, organised with support from HET ActieFonds, was designed to address the menace of child marriage in communities.

The compelling community drama vividly portrayed the harmful effects of child marriage on young girls.

The drama drew the attention of the community members to the serious risks associated with child marriage, including the physical, emotional, and psychological toll it takes on young girls.

Wakili explained that the organisation adopted the use of drama to communicate the realities of child marriage and spark a meaningful conversation within the Dafara community.

“Child marriage has a lot of consequences, especially on the reproductive health of young girls.

“Child marriage doesn’t just rob girls of their childhood; it puts their health and future at severe risk.

“I urge you to consider the dangers posed to the physical and mental well-being of girls forced into marriage at an early age,” she said.

She encouraged parents to prioritise the education of their daughters, describing it as the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving gender equality in communities.

According to her, the campaign marked a significant step in the fight against child marriage, a practice that has remained prevalent in many parts of Nigeria.

“Through continued effort and support from partners like HET ActieFonds, more communities will take up the mantle, in the fight to end child marriage.

“Girl Child Values Support Initiative and our partners will ensure that every girl child is empowered to live her life to the fullest potential.”

Some of the community members at the sensitisation campaign expressed commitment to champion the cause to end child marriage.

They pledged to begin a movement that seeks to secure the future of the girl-child, free from the dangers of early marriage.

One of them, Malam Safiyanu Sani, an Imam in the community, expressed a strong stance against child marriage, and promised to use his platform to advocate for change.

Sani equally promised to continue to encourage parents and caregivers to protect their daughters by ensuring that they have access to quality education instead of early marriage.

Also, the Women Leader of the community, Mrs Munsirat Lawal, commended the NGO for the initiative to prevent child marriage in communities.

Lawal, who acknowledged the prevalence of child marriage in Dafara community, expressed optimism that the awareness campaign would help the community to turn over a new leaf. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai