By Oluwatope Lawanson
Women’s Rights Organisations (WROs) have urged the federal and state governments to strengthen enforcement of child protection laws and expand access to education to end child marriage and protect girls’ future.
The organisations said that sustained investment in girls’ education, community-based protection and enforcement of existing laws was critical to addressing the social and economic factors exposing girls to early marriage.
They made the call under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (RWVL-N) Project as part of activities marking the International Month of the Girl Child.
The event had the theme, “End Child Marriage; Invest in Girls’ Rights”, according to a report the WROS issued in Lagos.
The Communications Specialist, Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, Mr Emmanuel Olonade, made the report available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.
The report was from engagements conducted under the RWVL-N Project, implemented by ActionAid Nigeria, in partnership with women’s rights organisations, with support from Global Affairs Canada.
The campaign involved school-based activities, interactive discussions, debates, drama presentations and online conversations aimed at educating girls about their rights and encouraging stakeholders to take action against harmful practices.
According to the report, engagements in Abuja, Bauchi and Cross River States highlighted the roles of parents, schools, traditional and religious leaders, government institutions and civil society organisations in preventing child marriage.
It said that, in Abuja, the Association of Women in Social Work and Humanitarian Activities Network joined students and teachers of Spiritan International Girls Secondary School, Lugbe, to discuss the importance of supporting girls education and nurturing their aspirations.
The engagement emphasised the responsibility of parents and guardians to provide girls with opportunities to develop their potential and contribute meaningfully to society, according to the report.
The report said that, in Bauchi, the Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative (FAWOYDI) engaged schoolgirls from Alkaleri, Bauchi and Ganjuwa Local Government Areas at Government Girls College, Bauchi.
“Through drama and a debate titled, ‘Early Girl Child Marriage: Should It Be Abolished?’, the students examined the consequences of early marriage and called on parents, government and community leaders to protect girls’ rights and ensure they remained in school,” it said.
It noted that tbe Executive Director of FAWOYDI, Mrs Amina Suleiman, said child marriage deprived girls of their childhood, disrupted their education and exposed them to responsibilities they might not be physically or emotionally prepared to handle.
It said that Suleiman called for stronger child protection mechanisms, safe learning environments, mentorship opportunities, vocational training and life-skills development.
According to the report, Suleiman urged parents, teachers, traditional rulers and religious leaders to work together to prevent child marriage and ensure that girls would participate in decisions affecting their lives.
The Gender and Development Action engaged students of Government Girls Secondary School, Big Qua, Calabar, through an interactive teen-talk session, the report added.
It noted that the session allowed the girls to raise concerns about abuse, gender inequality, teenage pregnancy and support for survivors.
“Participants were encouraged to understand their rights, speak out against violations, challenge harmful stereotypes and remain in school.”
The report noted that the Young Urban Women Movement Nigeria (YUWMN) also convened an online conversation involving 45 participants to examine the social, economic and cultural factors contributing to child marriage.
“The discussion featured developmental journalist and gender advocate Lois Tofunmi, youth advocate and project manager Khadijat Tijjani, and women’s rights advocate and YUWMN South-West Zonal Coordinator Rehanat Amusu as well as gender-based violence expert Niri Goyit.
“Participants identified poverty, gender inequality, cultural pressure, insecurity and limited access to education as factors increasing girls vulnerability to child marriage.
They called for stronger enforcement of existing laws, gender desks in police stations, community-based monitoring mechanisms and safe spaces for girls.”
According to the report, the organisations highlighted the need to address the conditions that make girls vulnerable to child marriage, particularly poverty, insecurity, gender inequality and limited access to education.
“While awareness campaigns can help girls understand their rights and encourage communities to challenge harmful practices, sustained progress also requires effective enforcement of child-protection laws and accessible support services for children at risk.
“Improved access to quality education, safe learning environments and mentorship opportunities could help girls remain in school and develop the skills needed to make informed decisions about their futures.
“Parents and guardians also have a critical role in prioritising their daughters’ education, while traditional and religious leaders can help change community attitudes that perpetuate early marriage,” ii added. (NAN)www.nannews.ng
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
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