By Opeyemi Gbemiro
Ms Joyce Haruna, a sexual and gender -based violence advocate, has called for a stronger measures to end child marriage and safeguard the rights and future of the girl child.
Haruna made the call in Lokoja on Tuesday in a message marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights”.
She said that every girl deserved access to quality education, healthcare, protection from abuse and opportunities to fulfill her potential.
According to her, child marriage violates girls’ rights and dignity, deprives them of educational opportunities and exposes them to avoidable risks.
She urged parents and guardians to prioritise their daughters’ education and well-being rather than force them into early marriage because of poverty, social pressure or harmful cultural practices.
Haruna also urged community and religious leaders to speak out against practices that violated girls’ rights and support initiatives that provided safe environments for their growth and development.
She also called on governments to strengthen the enforcement of child protection laws, increase investment in girls’ education, support vulnerable families and establish effective channels for reporting abuse.
The advocate emphasised the need to hold perpetrators accountable for violating children’s rights, stressing that efforts to protect the girl child must go beyond public statements and annual commemorations.
She called for concrete policies, adequate funding and measurable actions to address the challenges facing girls.
Haruna further highlighted the importance of community participation in tackling child marriage, urging residents to report suspected cases of abuse to the appropriate authorities and support organisations working to protect vulnerable children.
She maintained that no girl should be forced into marriage at the expense of her education, safety and future, adding that every child deserved the opportunity to grow, learn and make informed decisions about her life.
The advocate urged stakeholders to move beyond awareness campaigns and implement practical measures to safeguard girls’ rights and expand their opportunities.
She said that investing in girls’ rights was crucial to building safer communities, strengthening families and promoting a more equitable society.
Haruna called on Nigerians to unite in protecting the childhood, dignity and future of every girl.(NAN)
Edited by Abujah Racheal/Halima Sheji
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